NHK has learned that Japan has stationed a narcotics control agent in Hong Kong to strengthen information-gathering on drug smuggling attempts.

The health ministry last year assigned an official from the narcotics control department as a consul at a consulate-general there.

In Major League Baseball, Japanese pitcher Tanaka Masahiro has become a free agent after wrapping up his seven-year contract with the New York Yankees.

MLB teams were able to make one-year qualifying offers to eligible former players until Sunday.

NHK has learned that the US military in Okinawa, southwestern Japan, says a barbecue party in an aircraft hangar led to a large release of fire extinguishing agent. It spread to communities around the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in April.

Sources say the military on Friday explained the results of its investigation to local officials from Ginowan City, and others.