03:45⇢Fifty Six Vehicles in Frozen Ash
⌨Japanese media outlets are primarily focused on the aftermath of the massive 56-vehicle pile-up and fire on the Kan-etsu Expressway, detailing the snowy conditions and the struggle to free trapped passengers (NHK, TBS, Sankei, Yomiuri). Simultaneously, editors are marking the start of the 'nine-day' New Year holiday rush at transit hubs while reflecting on long-term cold cases like the Setagaya family murders (Mainichi, Chunichi).