Expressions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including "Abenomask," "three Cs" and "self-restraint police," comprised half of the 30 terms nominated as buzzword of the year for 2020, the award's organizer said Thursday.

"So many new buzzwords — including using existing words in a unique way — have popped up that it wouldn't have been strange if they were all related to the coronavirus," a representative for the selection committee said.

The country's top buzzword for this year will be announced Dec. 1, according to the organizer, publishing house Jiyukokuminsha.