The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
----------
U.S. to have official in Tokyo dedicated to monitoring China
WASHINGTON - The administration of President Joe Biden will deploy an official dedicated to monitoring Chinese governmental and business activities to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo in July, State Department sources said Saturday.
The dispatch of such a specialized China watcher to the embassy is part of the Biden administration's efforts to reinforce intelligence gathering, according to the sources.
----------
U.S. conducted 1st subcritical nuclear test since Sept. 2021
WASHINGTON - The United States conducted a subcritical nuclear test on Tuesday, the first since September 2021, a government agency said, in an apparent effort to bolster deterrence against countries such as China and Russia.
The experiment, the third under the administration of President Joe Biden, was carried out in Nevada to collect "essential data" regarding the country's nuclear warheads, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration.
----------
Okinawa governor decries U.S. ambassador visit to isles near Taiwan
NAHA, Japan - The governor of Okinawa on Saturday criticized the U.S. ambassador to Japan's visit to two of its remote islands in the country's south near Taiwan the previous day, saying the move raises tensions in the region.
"To visit an area near Taiwan increases the tension. We are monitoring (the situation) closely so that it doesn't cause further friction," Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki told reporters, apparently referring to China's objection to the United States deepening ties with Taiwan.
----------
Japan minister queries women's worth without birth in election speech
TOKYO - Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Saturday asked central Japan constituents how "we women can call ourselves women without giving birth," equating the importance of childbirth to electing a new governor in a speech ahead of a gubernatorial election.
Kamikawa made the remarks during a visit to her native Shizuoka Prefecture in an attempt to garner support for a candidate backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
----------
Rugby: Wild Knights down gutsy Eagles to reach League One final
TOKYO - Saitama Wild Knights ensured they remained an ever-present in the Japan Rugby League One championship final Saturday as they came from behind to beat Yokohama Eagles 20-17 in the first of the weekend's semifinals.
A 59th-minute try by two-time Rugby World Cup winner Damian de Allende proved to be the clincher at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground after the Eagles had turned around a 13-3 halftime deficit to lead 17-13.
----------
North Korea tested tactical ballistic missile with new navigation tech
BEIJING - North Korea said Saturday it test-fired a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a new autonomous navigation system, with the drill overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, according to the country's official Korean Central News Agency.
The South Korean military detected Friday the launch of what were believed to be short-range ballistic missiles fired toward the Sea of Japan from an area near North Korea's eastern port city of Wonsan. They were estimated to have flown about 300 kilometers before falling into the sea.
----------
Ohtani's ex-teammate bet with same bookmaker as Mizuhara: report
LOS ANGELES - A former teammate of Shohei Ohtani at the Los Angeles Angels bet on sports with the same illegal bookmaker as the Japanese star's former interpreter who is facing fraud charges, ESPN reported Friday citing multiple sources.
David Fletcher, Ohtani's teammate from 2018 to 2023 and described as his best friend while at the Angels, placed bets with the bookmaking operation like the embattled interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, the report said.
----------
Tokyo startup to develop reusable rocket in tie-up with U.S. partner
TOKYO - Tokyo-based startup Innovative Space Carrier Inc. will develop a reusable satellite launch rocket in partnership with a U.S rocket engine maker, aiming for commercial use by around 2030.
The ASCA-1 rocket will be powered by an engine developed by U.S. partner Ursa Major Technologies Inc. and built under what Innovative Space Carrier calls Japan's first development project for a reusable launch vehicle. Reusable rockets, capable of multiple launches, can lower costs.
Video: Manned "flying car" makes Tokyo debut
