Brian Kito: There. That's mochi. Customer: Oh, this has been here forever, right? And it's the best. [laughs] Crystal: LA's Little Tokyo is the heart of the largest Japanese American population in ...

An elderly woman died and five other people were in serious condition in the Tokyo area after choking on “mochi” sticky rice cakes between Jan. 1 and 3, the Tokyo Fire Department said.

Mochi is a popular food in Japan, especially during the New Year's holiday. Tokyo Fire Department officials advise cutting mochi into small pieces and chewing thoroughly before swallowing.

Four women in their 80s died in Tokyo after choking on “mochi” sticky rice cakes, which are traditionally eaten at the start of the New Year, Tokyo’s Fire Department said. They were among 16 ...

In just the first three days of the new year, nine people between the ages of 73 and 84 were taken to hospitals in the metro Tokyo area after they choked on mochi, Japan Today and Nippon TV ...