So...I've noticed something very interesting although it may be nothing...
Go to
Nintendo Japan's Direct site:
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/direct_links/
Now go to
Nintendo Japan's Direct site (on January 9th 2018)
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/direct_links/
Then try to find WHY there seems to be a spot open...(there is usually an even number of directs as per OP...).
I noticed it because I couldn't figure out why the two pages are two days apart. One is without the 1.11.18 direct, but still there is a spot missing with the same number (15 Directs). Then I seen the difference...could just be an odd coincidence though. I'll let you find out what is missing...