"Eating mochi is a really important ... We need this for our new year." While many people in the U.S. − Japanese American and otherwise − enjoy the sweet treat, mochi still has a ways to ...

It also advises people to pay careful attention to infants and older people when they eat mochi. Learning how to provide first aid to someone who is choking on mochi is also recommended.

Nine people have choked to death eating mochi rice cakes over the New Year period in Japan, despite warnings to chew slowly on this favorite treat. At least 128 people were taken to hospital ...