Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced that his government is currently identifying the newly freed journalist in Syria, apparently talking about journalist Jumbi Yasuda.
“I have been very satisfied after receiving information about Yasuda and we are trying to ensure his identity as soon as possible and the government has made various efforts since his disappearance, many countries, including Qatar and Turkey, have expressed their solidarity with us,” Abe said.
Japanese war correspondent Jumbi Yasuda was abducted by an armed group in Syria three years ago. There were several video recordings in which the journalist called for help.
Japan’s Secretary-General Yoshihida Suga told a news conference late on Tuesday that “Tokyo had received information that a man believed to be free journalist Jumbi Yasuda was released.” He said “the government had informed Yasuda’s wife but the authorities were still seeking to verify his identity. We will be able to identify the person who was released after 15:00 local time (06:00 GMT).”
Yasuda had sent an image to him by e-mail to Kyodo News agency on June 23, 2015 before entering Syria, with the following text: “I am entering Syria now”.
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