Japanese officials say this is a common occurrence with elderly people during the holiday season that can be prevented with proper pacing and smaller bites.

Over recent years, the chewy rice cakes have killed and hospitalized hundreds of people in Japan, where it is eaten to celebrate the new year.

There are traditional New-Year foods eaten in many countries and this smooth, sticky mass of sweet rice is said to attract prosperity.

KINGSTON, N.Y. — A free mochi-tuski rice cake-pounding event will be held at the Kingston Pop-Up Shop & Cafe at 10 Cedar St. on Saturday, Dec. 28, from 2-4 p.m. The organizers said the mochi will be ...

Every New Year’s Day in Japan, families gather to mark the holiday with foods meant to symbolize longevity and good fortune.

Officials urge cutting the mochi into smaller pieces, chewing slowly and close supervision to prevent suffocation A cherished New Year’s tradition turned deadly in Japan’s capital as a Tokyo Fire ...