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TOKYO – The following is the most recent compilation of selected news summaries from Kyodo News.

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Supreme Leader Khamenei of Iran dies following U.S. and Israeli strikes

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had died after air strikes conducted by American and Israeli forces, which also resulted in the deaths of other officials in the nation’s leadership, calling the event “the biggest opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country.”

Shortly after Trump’s statement, Iran’s official media also reported the passing of Khamenei, who was 86, sparking fears of instability within Iran and uncertainty regarding the wider consequences for the Middle East.

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Japan does not openly back U.S. or Israeli actions against Iran

TOKYO – Japan has not openly endorsed the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran during the weekend, as Tokyo maintained Sunday efforts to collect data on the developing events in the Middle East after the death of long-time supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has directed government departments and organizations to examine the possible effects of the attacks on maritime and aviation transport, as well as on the economy. She also pledged on Saturday night to safeguard the security of Japanese citizens in the area.

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No prefectures are prepared to receive soil from the cleanup of the Fukushima incident: survey

TOKYO – A Kyodo News survey on Sunday revealed that none of Japan’s prefectural governors are willing to take in soil gathered during decontamination efforts near the affected Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant without additional safety data and assistance from the central government.

A major component of the government’s recovery initiatives in the eastern Japanese prefecture involves searching for final disposal locations for 14 million cubic meters of excavated soil and other waste following the March 2011 nuclear accident.

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Football: Asian Champions League Playoffs Delayed Following Attacks in Iran

TOKYO – The governing body of Asian football announced on Sunday that the continental club championship playoffs, which were set to take place in the Middle East, have been delayed due to security issues triggered by the attack launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.

The Asian Football Confederation announced that the Asian Champions League Elite round of 16 matches planned for Monday and Tuesday in the West region have been postponed.

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Japan’s space technology company delays its launch once more because of weather conditions

WAKAYAMA, Japan – A Japanese space startup announced that it has delayed its rocket launch planned for Sunday because of poor weather, according to the company.

The available timeframe for Space One Co.’s Kairos No. 3 rocket is until March 25, although a specific launch date has not been determined, according to the company. Approximately 700 individuals had assembled close to the launch location, Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture.

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Snowboarding: Yamada and Shimizu from Japan take victory in the Snow League halfpipe event in Aspen

TOKYO – Ryusei Yamada, an Olympic bronze medalist, and his Japanese teammate Sara Shimizu claimed victory in the men’s and women’s halfpipe events, respectively, during the third round of the Snow League professional snowboarding series held in Aspen, Colorado on Saturday.

Yamada defeated his fellow countryman and Milan Cortina Winter Games champion Yuto Totsuka in the men’s final of the head-to-head event.

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Skiing: Olympic silver medalist Horishima claims victory in World Cup dual moguls event in Japan

NANTO, Japan – Freestyle skier Ikuma Horishima, an Olympic silver medalist, secured two gold medals in the moguls event on home snow on Sunday as the World Cup series made a return to Japan.

Horishima, who previously won a bronze medal in moguls at the Milan Cortina Winter Games last month, defeated Sweden’s Rasmus Stegfeldt in the final held at the Taira ski resort in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture.

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Athletics: Takele from Ethiopia claims consecutive Tokyo Marathon championships

TOKYO – Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele secured consecutive men’s victories at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, while Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei set a course record en route to claiming the women’s title.

Under sunny, clear weather, 23-year-old Takele outpaced Kenyan runners Geoffrey Toroitich and Alexander Mutiso Munyao in a final dash to the finish line in Tokyo’s Marunouchi area, securing victory with a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 37 seconds.

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Video: Traditional fire festival held annually at a UNESCO-listed temple in Nara