「鬼滅」絵柄が人気　年賀状受け付け開始―日本郵便

　日本郵便は１５日、２０２１年用のお年玉付き年賀はがきの受け付けを始めた。１１月に売り出した人気アニメ「鬼滅の刃」の絵柄入りはがきは、販売枚数が既に２００万枚を超え、キャラクターデザインの年賀はがきの過去最高を更新している。
　一方、年賀はがき全体の当初発行枚数は前年比１７．４％減の１９億４１９８万枚と１０年連続で減少し、記録が残る０４年用以降で最低。電子メールやインターネット交流サイト（ＳＮＳ）の普及に加え、新型コロナウイルス感染拡大の影響で業績が悪化した企業の利用が減ると見込んだ。
　日本郵便は元日に届けるため、２５日までに出すよう呼び掛けている。お年玉の１等は現金３０万円か、３１万円分の電子マネーのいずれかを選べる。抽選は来年１月１７日。（2020/12/15-13:31）

New Year lottery postcards issued by Japan Post Co. with designs of characters from an anime based on the "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" blockbuster manga series have gained popularity, despite the overall trend of decrease in the use of postcards for New Year's greetings.
   The number of Demon Slayer postcards that have been sold exceeed 2 million since they hit shelves in November, rewriting a record high for New Year postcards with character designs.
   On the other hand, the initially issued number of all 2021 New Year postcards dropped 17.4 pct from the previous year to 1,941.98 million, declining for the 10th consecutive year and hitting the lowest level since records began in 2004.
   The decline reflects the widespread use of email and social media. In addition, Japan Post expects the use of New Year postcards to diminish among companies whose business performance has deteriorated due to the coronavirus pandemic.
   Japan Post started accepting such postcards on Tuesday for delivery on New Year's Day.