emergency
Choking
窒息 (chissoku)
Choking occurs when a foreign object blocks the airway, preventing breathing. Signs include inability to speak, a high-pitched breathing sound, blue-tinged lips, or a silent cough. For conscious adults and children, use the Heimlich maneuver. For infants, use back blows and chest thrusts. Call 119 if the object cannot be dislodged. Japanese public spaces and restaurants commonly post first-aid choking charts, and AEDs in public areas often include first-aid instruction guides.
Japan requires choking hazard labeling on food products marketed to children and the elderly, and mochi rice cakes cause a notable number of choking fatalities each New Year.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Choking |
| Japanese (日本語) | 窒息 |
| Chinese (中文) | 窒息 |
| Korean (한국어) | 질식 |
| Portuguese | Engasgo |
| Spanish | Atragantamiento |
| Filipino | Pag-inis sa lalamunan |
| Thai | การสำลัก |
| Vietnamese | Tắc nghẽn đường thở |
| Romanization | chissoku |
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Read the guide →Last reviewed: September 2026