NHK has learned that Japan's Defense Ministry will mainly look into using ships in its study of offshore alternatives to the Aegis Ashore missile defense system.

The land-based Aegis Ashore is designed to use radar and interceptor missiles to stop ballistic missiles. Japan planned to deploy it in response to a surge in North Korean ballistic missile tests.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu says the government will continue to work towards relocating the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.

Kato, who is also the Minister in charge of Mitigating the Impact of US Forces in Okinawa, visited the prefecture for the first time since he assumed office on Saturday.

Severe Tropical Storm Dolphin is heading toward Japan and could bring downpours to the eastern part of the country through Friday.

Weather officials are urging people to stay on alert for possible mudslides and flooding in low-lying areas, as well as thunderstorms, tornadoes and hailstorms.

A large and very strong typhoon is moving northward, engulfing the southern main island of Kyushu. Officials are warning of strong winds, high tides, large ocean swells and torrential rain.

Weather officials say that at 3 a.m. on Monday, Typhoon Haishen was 30 kilometers northeast of Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. They say it was moving north at 30 kilometers per hour.

Powerful Typhoon Maysak is tracking toward Okinawa, southern Japan.

Weather officials say the typhoon is expected to approach Okinawa and the Amami region in Kagoshima Prefecture between Monday night and Tuesday.

Can a self-driving vehicle ever really be as aware of its surroundings as a human being? It would mean for computers to actually learn from past experiences and recognize patterns in order to navigate new and/or unpredictable situations.