Japan Post started selling the 2027 New Year's lottery postcards on Dec 20. The cards are a popular way for people in Japan to wish each other a happy new year.

The delivery deadline for cards to reach recipients by New Year's Day was set at Dec 27, two days later than before. Japan Post said the change came because people have been preparing and mailing their cards later in recent years.

The sales period was also extended to Jan 15, about five days longer than usual. Japan Post noted that the spread of social media has accelerated the trend of people giving up the custom of sending New Year's cards.

The first print run for 2027 was 555.92 million cards, down 25.7 % from the previous year. This is the 16th straight year of decline and about one‑eighth of the record high set in 2004.