NHK led with a report on snowstorms in northern Japan. TV Asahi and Fuji TV gave top coverage to a gas explosion in Shinagawa, Tokyo, last night. TBS reported on a nationwide influenza epidemic, with reports of group infections in a number of nursing homes and flu-related accidents. NTV aired a follow-up report on the alleged financial problems of the family of Princess Mako’s boyfriend Kei Komuro.

Top stories in national dailies included the Japan-ROK foreign ministerial meeting in Davos (Yomiuri, Sankei), a drop in China’s production of high-tech products (Nikkei), and follow-up reports on the data scandal involving the labor ministry (Asahi, Mainichi).