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Here is the most recent compilation of selected news briefs from Kyodo News.

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Japan’s outbound travel continues at 70% of its pre-pandemic levels despite the weak yen.

TOKYO – International travel from Japan is gradually rebounding but still stands over 70% of pre-pandemic levels, according to a Kyodo News analysis of government data released on Saturday, despite the weak yen.

In 2025, Japanese citizens took a total of 14.73 million international trips, which is lower than the all-time high of 20.08 million recorded in 2019. The administration had aimed to exceed the 2019 number in 2025.

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Japan considers enhancing the safeguarding of U.S. military installations

TOKYO – According to sources who are aware of the issue, the Japanese government is thinking about suggesting in future discussions that it cover expenses to enhance the security of U.S. military bases, as part of its support for American forces located in Japan, reported on Saturday.

Japan expects this action to enhance the durability of U.S. military installations against explosive and electromagnetic threats, among other dangers, thereby enhancing the deterrence and response abilities of the long-standing alliance with the United States, a crucial security partner, according to the sources.

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Japanese automotive components giant Denso could abandon its proposal to buy semiconductor manufacturer Rohm

NAGOYA – A leading Japanese automotive components manufacturer, Denso Corp., is considering revising its plan to acquire semiconductor and electronic parts company Rohm Co., with the potential to abandon the deal, according to sources who are aware of the situation, as reported on Saturday.

If Denso withdraws its acquisition offer because it struggles to gain Rohm’s backing, the realignment in the power semiconductor industry is expected to focus on merger discussions involving Rohm, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Toshiba Corporation, according to the sources.

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Okinawa government, which is against the relocation of the base, announces its third bid for re-election

TOKYO – Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, who strongly opposes the relocation of a U.S. military base within the southern island prefecture, announced on Saturday that he plans to seek a third term in the gubernatorial election scheduled for September.

The election on September 13 will see him face Genta Koja, a former deputy mayor of Naha who backs the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station. The national government is seeking to move the base from a densely populated residential area in Ginowan to a more sparsely inhabited coastal region in Nago, both located within Okinawa Prefecture.

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China intends to deploy 200,000 satellites, potentially aiming to compete with the U.S. Starlink initiative.

BEIJING – China has proposed a plan to launch approximately 200,000 satellites, as reported by a U.N. organization focused on digital technologies, potentially aiming to challenge the Starlink satellite internet service operated by the U.S. aerospace firm SpaceX.

Beijing’s submission to the International Telecommunication Union, responsible for assigning radio frequency bands and satellite orbits, indicates that the Asian economic giant seeks to develop its own equivalent of the Starlink system.

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Survivors and family members of the victims commemorate 21 years since the derailment in western Japan

OSAKA – Those who survived and the relatives of the victims of a 2005 train crash honored on Saturday the 107 people who died in the incident in the Japanese city of Amagasaki, recommitting themselves to ensuring the lessons from the disaster are passed down.

Invaluable and cherished lives, along with their tranquil and joyful moments, were abruptly lost. “We will continue to confront the incident directly and handle its repercussions seriously,” said Shoji Kurasaka, President of West Japan Railway Co., during a memorial event held by the company at the accident location in Hyogo Prefecture.

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Football: Newcomers Machida lose in the Asian Champions League Elite final

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Newcomers Machida Zelvia from Japan lost in the final of the Asian Champions League Elite on Saturday, falling 1-0 to defending champions Al Ahli Saudi of Saudi Arabia, who played with 10 men.

Go Kuroda-managed Machida, which has only participated in two J-League first-division seasons, had a numerical advantage following Zakaria Hawsawi’s red card in the 68th minute, but Feras Al Brikan scored the winning goal in the 96th minute for Al Ahli Saudi at their King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah, which was filled with local fans.

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Athletes express gratitude to supporters during Japan’s inaugural Winter Games parade

TOKYO – Athletes from Japan who took part in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics organized a parade on Saturday to express gratitude to supporters, including figure skating pair gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara who were seen walking in Tokyo.

It was the first parade in Japan for Winter Games athletes, with organizers stating that approximately 50,000 spectators gathered along the route in the Nihombashi district.

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Video: Athletes express gratitude to supporters during Japan’s inaugural Winter Games parade