A Japanese freelance journalist being held by jihadists in Syria has surfaced, apparently showing the man pleading for help after three years in captivity, according…
A Japanese freelance journalist being held by jihadists in Syria has surfaced, apparently showing the man pleading for help after three years in captivity, according to reports.
The bearded man, clad in an orange jumpsuit and flanked by two hooded men in black clutching assault rifles, identifies himself in the 20-second video as Korean, but Japanese authorities believe he is Jumpei Yasuda.
“My name is Umaru. I am South Korean. Today’s date is July 25,2018. I am in a terrible situation. Please help me immediately,” the man says as his voice cracks.
It was unclear why he identified himself as Korean while speaking Japanese or used that name.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo that Japan was using all available means to secure Yasuda’s safety, according to the Japan Times .
“It’s the biggest responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens, and it is based on this recognition that we will utilize every network and do our utmost to deal with” the situation, he said, declining to comment further.
