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
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
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