Kyodo News Digest: March 9, 2024

Figures of characters from the Japanese manga "Dragon Ball" are on display at a figure shop in Seoul on March 8, 2024. The manga series is the best known work of Akira Toriyama, a monumental figure in the Japanese manga and anime world, who died of an acute subdural hematoma on March 1, aged 68. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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U.S. eyes extensive repair of warships at Japan shipyards: sources

TOKYO - Japan and the United States are considering allowing U.S. Navy warships to undergo extensive repairs at private shipyards, enabling the ships to stay longer in Japanese waters without returning home for maintenance, government sources said Friday.

The issue is expected to be discussed when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travels to the United States to meet President Joe Biden in April, according to the sources. Such a deal is expected to improve the efficiency of U.S. military operations based in Japan amid China's growing military assertiveness in the region.

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U.S. forces lift ban on Osprey flights after Nov. crash in Japan

TOKYO - The U.S. forces on Friday lifted a worldwide flight ban on its Osprey military aircraft, which had been grounded after a deadly crash off a southwestern Japan island in November, but stopped short of giving details on the cause of the accident.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command said in a press release that it is "issuing a flight clearance" for the tilt-rotor aircraft, saying the decision was based on "a meticulous and data-driven approach prioritizing the safety of our aircrews."

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Japan business leaders call for choice of separate surnames

TOKYO - Business leaders on Friday called on the Japanese government to swiftly introduce a system allowing married couples to choose separate surnames, presenting a petition with some 1,000 signatures.

Corporate leaders and advocates who spearheaded the petition argue that many women who get married continue to use their maiden names in the workplace. But the practice can be taxing for women in such cases, as it can lead to procedural complications when traveling overseas.

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Toriyama's "Dragon Ball" boosted popularity of Japan anime overseas

TOKYO - Akira Toriyama, who died on March 1 at age 68, mesmerized the world with his "Dragon Ball" series that not only boosted the popularity of Japanese manga and anime internationally but also introduced a host of unique and adorable manga and game characters born from his imagination.

Initially gaining popularity with "Dr. Slump," which featured a super-powerful girl robot, Arale-chan, a series that started in 1980 in a weekly comic magazine, Toriyama's work also garnered success in anime adaption, spawning a range of merchandise.

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Hong Kong examines new stricter security bill

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Legislative Council on Friday began official deliberations over proposed security legislation intended to supplement the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, amid fears that it could further erode freedom in the former British colony.

The new legislation will prohibit foreign groups from conducting political activities in Hong Kong and local organizations from establishing ties with them, a move designed to further crack down on dissent in the semiautonomous region of China. Its extra-territorial reach has also stirred concern among critics.

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Japan gov't OKs bill to introduce joint custody after divorce

TOKYO - The Japanese government on Friday approved a bill to allow joint custody after divorce amid calls for recognizing diversity in family relationships.

Current child custody rules allow only sole custody by one parent, but the bill would permit either sole custody or joint custody. A family court will intervene if there is a dispute.

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Tokyo subway installs clear translation screen before 2025 events

TOKYO - The Tokyo metropolitan government has installed a transparent translation screen covering 12 languages at a subway station to help foreign visitors ahead of global sporting events in the Japanese capital next year.

The system developed by Toppan Holdings Inc. equipped with a keyboard translates between Japanese and English, Chinese, Spanish and other languages.

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Skiing: Ikuma Horishima 1st Japan man to win World Cup moguls season title

TOKYO - Japan's Ikuma Horishima became the first Japanese man to claim the freestyle skiing World Cup moguls title by finishing second in the season's final moguls competition Friday in Kazakhstan.

The Beijing Winter Olympics bronze medalist finished behind Canada's Mikael Kingsbury in Almaty but pipped the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics gold medalist in the season's rankings 610 points to 600 to lift the trophy.

Video: Judo training camp for the Olympics