Japan has confirmed that a man freed from Syria is a Japanese freelance journalist who was kidnapped three years ago and says he appears to be in good health.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Japanese Embassy officials met with Jumpei Yasuda at an immigration center in southern Turkey near the border with Syria, where Yasuda has been protected since he was freed Tuesday.

Yasuda was kidnapped in 2015 by al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, and has been held by several groups since then.

Suga said no ransom was paid for Yasuda’s release.