Post offices in Japan have begun selling New Year's greeting cards. Some feature illustrations of next year's zodiac sign, the rabbit.

A post office in Tokyo held an event to mark the start of the nationwide sale on Tuesday. About 70 local elementary-school children learned how to buy the cards.

A girl said, "I want to send New Year's cards to many people including my teachers, friends and relatives."

The kids were told about the history of New Year's greeting cards and how to send them.

Japan Post says it will issue about 1.6 billion cards this year. That's about 10 percent fewer than last year, and down more than 60 percent from peak levels in 2003.

Post offices will begin accepting the cards from mid-December.

Japan Post expects an increase in the number of people who will go online to send seasonal greetings to their friends and colleagues.

It's also offering a digital postcard service on the messaging app Line. More than 100 designs will be available.