Freed Japanese Journalist Yasuda Apologizes, Shows Gratitude

November 2, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese freelance journalist Junpei Yasuda, who returned home last week after being freed from 40 months of militant captivity in Syria, expressed apologies and gratitude on Friday.

"I'd like to express my apology and deep gratitude to those who were worried about me and dedicated themselves for the release," Yasuda, 44, said at a press conference, the first since his arrival back in Japan.

"I'm deeply sorry that my actions involved the Japanese government in the affair," he added.

Eight days after his return, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and a navy blue tie, with his beard and hair neatly trimmed, Yasuda showed up at the press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo with more than 200 reporters in attendance.

After bowing in apology at the beginning, Yasuda gave details about events from his abduction through release, saying, "It's my responsibility to explain."

According to Yasuda, he was captured in June 2015 soon after entering the northern part of Syria from the southern part of Turkey.

Deprived of his luggage, Yasuda moved from place to place with militant personnel.

"I was treated as a guest, but it was (effectively) a confinement," said Yasuda. "I was told that I was a hostage to demand a ransom from the Japanese government."

Yasuda revealed that during the captivity, he kept a diary with permission. He said that poor treatment he received included being prohibited from making any movement while squeezed in a tiny room, and being offered only a small amount of food.

At the order of his captors, Yasuda provided his personal information for sending to Japan and recorded a video calling for his release under a script written by the militant group, according to his account.

After his release was announced on Oct. 23, Yasuda arrived at Narita International Airport near Tokyo on Oct. 25, from Turkey, a stopover location.

According to his wife, Myu, a musician, Yasuda currently has no future plans on his reporting activities.

"I couldn't say that I am Japanese. I wasn't allowed to use my name, which was very hard," the wife also quoted him as saying.

On Oct. 25, she said that Yasuda had lost a great deal of strength and weight due to the long confinement. She added that Yasuda was planning to take a medical checkup at a later date. Jiji Press