Japan’s stock market extended its rally as election-related buying and a weaker yen pushed the Nikkei Average to a record close above the 54,000 mark for the first time. (News On Japan)

A powerful winter pressure pattern is expected to bring severe blizzard conditions mainly to northern Japan through January 15th, prompting authorities to warn of violent snowstorms and high waves that are likely to disrupt transportation. In Hokkaido, flight cancellations mounted as the storm intensified, forcing around 900 passengers to spend the night at airports after services were suspended. (News On Japan)