> At a Glance
> – One woman in her 80s died after choking on daifuku mochi just after midnight Jan 1, 2026
> – Six other seniors, aged 80-96, were hospitalized across Tokyo within the first three days of the year
> – Tokyo Fire Department data shows 338 mochi-choking cases from 2020-2024, with 90% involving people 65+
> Why it matters: The sticky New-Year staple remains a deadly seasonal hazard for Japan’s aging population
A beloved holiday tradition turned fatal again in Tokyo as the city’s fire department confirmed one death and six hospitalizations from mochi-choking incidents during the first three days of 2026.
The Fatal Bite
The victim, a woman in her 80s, choked on sweet-bean-filled daifuku in her Minato Ward home minutes after the New Year began. Paramedics rushed her to hospital, but she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Six other elderly residents-men and women aged 80 to 96-were also transported by ambulance after mochi lodged in their throats. Several remain in serious condition, according to officials.
A Recurring Seasonal Threat
Mochi’s dense, stretchy texture makes it deceptively hazardous, especially for older adults. Tokyo Fire Department statistics updated in December show:
- 338 people hospitalized for mochi or similar-food choking between 2020-2024
- Over 90% of those patients were 65 or older
- Nearly half of all cases occur in December and January
- At least 33 deaths linked to mochi choking in the same period
Last year’s holiday week saw nine Tokyo hospitalizations and two deaths from the same cause.
Safety Steps Issued Again
Officials reiterated long-standing guidance:
- Cut mochi into small, bite-sized pieces
- Chew slowly and thoroughly before swallowing
- Supervise infants, children, and elders at the table
- Moisten the throat with tea or soup before eating
- Know the Heimlich maneuver and emergency-contact procedures
Tokyo Fire Department’s notice reads:
> “Cut the mochi into small pieces that are easy to eat. Don’t swallow it quickly, chew slowly before swallowing. When eating with infants, young children, or elderly people, be careful to supervise them as they eat.”
Key Takeaways
- One woman in her 80s has already died from mochi choking this New Year
- Six additional seniors were hospitalized in Tokyo within three days
- Historical data show the risk peaks every December-January
- Simple precautions-slicing mochi small, chewing slowly, staying alert-can prevent tragedy
As families across Japan continue seasonal celebrations, authorities urge extra vigilance for the nation’s elderly population.
