NHK gave top play to the weather forecast for today, saying that storms and blizzards are expected in northern Japan. Most networks led with reports on the announcement that “kamitteru (superhuman behavior)” was selected as the top buzzword of the year. The term is linked to the Hiroshima Carp’s victory in the Central League championship.

Lead items in national papers included a GOJ estimate of a decline in tax revenue in FY2016 (Mainichi), the probable enactment of the casino legislation this year (Sankei), Canon’s decision to enter the rocket business (Nikkei), and a GOJ plan to expand spousal tax deductions (Yomiuri).