On the morning of 5 June, along a highway in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, a car swerved off the road and crashed through a tree before stopping on the sidewalk. The 87-year-old driver of the car was taken to hospital but sadly died soon after.
However, the actual accident wasn’t what killed him and the official cause of death had nothing to do with his age at all. In fact, the reason he died was something you may have done yourself while driving.
According to the police, a piece of futomaki was found lodged in his throat which had choked him to death. Futomaki (lit. “fat roll”) is a sushi roll double-stuffed with ingredients such as egg, shrimp, tuna, and/or cucumber.
Police are still investigating into whether it was choking on the sushi that caused the accident or whether the accident caused him to choke on the sushi. While futomaki is really delicious, we hope you all wait until you get to your destination before digging in, for your own sake and for everyone around you.
Source: FNN via My Game News Flash (Japanese)
Futomaki Image: Amazon


Driver charged after man who refused treatment is found dead a month after road traffic accident
Japanese omelette sushi changes the way we think about makizushi
What would convince Japanese people to live in a home where there’d been a death or “accident?”
Osaka woman causes 8 separate traffic accidents in 35 minutes
Osaka man finds stranger eating in his kitchen at night, stranger dies shortly after
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
McDonald’s ad in Japan causes controversy overseas
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
The fish in rural Fukui that rivals Japan’s most auspicious sea bream
Ramen for 99 yen?!? Best value-for-money noodles found at unlikely chain in Japan
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japanese gamers anxious to get hands on South Korea’s latest hit: Destiny Child 【Pics, Videos】
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Can we be just like Shohei Ohtani on a budget with a Hello Kitty cap?
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Adorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Driver who killed cyclist in crosswalk accident found not guilty, causes controversy in Japan
Why does it take so long for Japanese trains to start running again after an accident?
Car accident reminds us of the obvious dangers of driving while eating instant ramen
MariCar Mario Kart driver mounts pavement, causes serious damage in Tokyo accident
Drive recorder catches the moment a car flies into the front of an oncoming bus
Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people in Japan, statistics show
U.S. Marine hit by car rescuing Japanese driver from traffic accident in Okinawa, fractures skull
Seven injured at Kobe station as car speeds through intersection, mounts sidewalk
Three heroes honored for miracle intervention in a highway accident in Chiba
Nine injured in Tokyo after man drives car into pedestrians on Takeshita Street in Harajuku
Japanese women list reasons they wish their husbands would die in new Husband Death Note book
Man overjoyed as woman who crashed into his car turns out to be AV star Maria Ozawa【Video】
Japanese Netizens ask: Would you move into an “accident site” apartment for cheaper rent?
49-year-old Japanese shut-in spends weeks living with corpse of mother who died at home
Japanese Woman Dies after Heavy-Set Police Officer Sits on Her
Japanese company president arrested for making employee take the fall for his hit-and-run