A Japanese freelance journalist being held by jihadists in Syria has surfaced, with a video 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.
Japanese media reported that Yasuda was captured by an al Qaeda affiliate after entering strife-torn Syria from Turkey in 2015 and was reporting on the country’s civil war.
The group reportedly is seeking a $10 million ransom.
Over the years, he has appeared occasionally in online videos, his hair growing longer and grayer.
Footage of a man believed to be Yasuda also appeared on July 8. In that video, dated Oct. 17, 2017, he said in English that he was “fine” and added that he hoped his family was doing well, the Japan Times reported.
In May 2016, an image was released showing Yasuda sporting a long beard and wearing an orange outfit resembling that of other captives — while holding a sign in Japanese reading “Please help. This is the last chance.”
The hostage-takers said at the time that he would be handed over to ISIS unless the Japanese government began negotiations within a month.
In August 2014, Japanese would-be soldier of fortune Haruna Yukawa was captured by ISIS after slipping into Aleppo.
His friend, journalist Kenji Goto, sought to help Yukawa and also was captured. Both were beheaded in early 2015.
With Post wires
