While rice cakes are eaten year-round, they are traditionally food for the Japanese New Year and are commonly sold and eaten during this time. The Tokyo Fire Department has issued a warning after a growing number of elderly and children were taken to hospital during the New Year's holidays after choking on rice cakes. Dozens of people have been ferried to hospitals nationwide since as the New Year approached, leaving two people dead.

The fire department's website suggests several ways to prevent people from choking on rice cakes. It lists four things to bear in mind when tucking into the tasty New Year treats.

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