Japanese Journalist Jumpei Yasuda describes ‘hell’ while living under the captivity of militants in Syria for three years
AFTER being held captive for more than three years in Syria, Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda arrived home Thursday evening to be reunited with his family following an ordeal which he likened to “hell”.
Yasuda, who was released earlier this week and flown to Turkey before arriving at the Narita Airport just outside Tokyo, was greeted by his wife, parents and other relatives.
“I apologise for causing such trouble and worry, but thanks to all of you, I was able to come home safely,” he said in a brief statement read to media by his wife, as quoted by the AFP .
While on his flight to Tokyo, Yasuda held brief interviews with Japanese media, describing the nightmarish time while being held captive by Islamist militants.
Sporting a long beard peppered with grey hair, Yasuda said: “It was hell,”
“Not only physically, but mentally as well. The thought each day that ‘I’m not being released today either’ left me losing control over myself bit by bit.”
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Despite the ordeal, Yasuda appeared healthy, although he was showing signs of fatigue.
“For about 40 months, I have not spoken a word of Japanese. Words don’t come to my mind easily,” he said.
