Despite an annual warning from authorities, a deadly New Year's trend continued in Japan this week as two people died after choking on mochi — a doughy cake made from steamed sweet rice that is ...

I grew up in a big, busy city called Mito, north of Tokyo. The week before New Year’s, my mother would prepare osechi ryori, assorted cold dishes for sharing with relatives and friends dropping by to ...

Two elderly men in Japan choked to death on mochi rice cakes as part of a New Year’s tradition that authorities have issued warnings about annually. Eating mochi on and around the New Year is supposed ...