Every year, more people in Japan die from choking on mochi, the country’s famous chewy rice treat, than die in automobile accidents. Local media is now reporting the first in what is, sadly, suspected to be many deaths over the New Year’s tradition.
Mochi is a rice cake created by hammering rice repeatedly until it breaks down into a chewy texture. They’re notoriously hard to eat – which is the point. The practice of eating them as a New Year tradition dates back to Japan’s Heian Era as a part of hagatame (歯固め) or “tooth hardening” – the belief that eating tough foods will strengthen your teeth for the New Year.
Unfortunately, people who have a hard time eating mochi are susceptible to choking on them. As you’d suspect, the elderly are most susceptible to this. Tokyo Fire Department says its stats show the most likely victims are between the ages of 80 and 84.
This year’s first reported death by mochi in Tokyo was an elderly man in his 70s who was transported to the hospital on January 1st and subsequently died after choking on one.
Sadly, it’s not likely to be the last. Around 3,500 people die every year in Japan choking on mochi. By contrast, in 2023, only 2,678 people died in traffic accidents. A full 43% of those incidents happen in January, with another 12% occurring in December. Around 2,500 of the victims are 80 or older.
Japan’s aging population explains all the mochi deaths. As people grow older, their ability to chew and swallow deteriorates, increasing the risk of choking – especially on something as tough as mochi.
Experts are urging senior citizens to be careful this holiday season, taking only small bites and washing them down with tea or juice. Many are also suggesting that older people take up a habit of chewing gum to help preserve and strengthen their chewing muscles.
Experts also say seniors should assess their “oral frailty” before eating mochi. People who have 19 or fewer teeth left, who’ve found it harder to eat hard foods over the past year, or who find themselves choking on tea or juice should probably avoid the traditional treat altogether.
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