Eating sticky rice cakes, 2 people choked to death

Two people choked to death and seven others are in critical condition after eating mochi rice cakes on New Year's Day in Tokyo.

Mochi rice cakes are a traditional Japanese New Year food. Photo: Japan Times.

Every January, Japanese television continuously reports on deaths or emergency cases due to choking on mochi rice cakes, according to SCMP.

Fifteen people were hospitalized in Tokyo after eating mochi, a traditional Japanese New Year cake. Two people died, one in his 50s and one in his 80s, according to the Tokyo Fire Department. Seven others were in critical condition when they were taken to hospital.

The Tokyo Fire Department is advising people to be cautious when eating this traditional dish, suggesting cutting the cake into small pieces and chewing thoroughly before swallowing.

According to VNE