New Video Possibly Shows Missing Japanese Journalist

August 1, 2018

Jerusalem- Another video possibly showing missing Japanese journalist Junpei Yasuda, 44, has been posted online, it was learned Tuesday.

In the 20-second clip, a man in an orange garment who seems to be Yasuda said in Japanese, "I'm in very bad surroundings. Please help me now."

But he claimed to be South Korean and called himself Umaru. He also said the video was recorded on Wednesday.

In the video, the man was positioned in front of two masked men with rifles.

Yasuda went missing after he entered northern Syria from southern Turkey in June 2015.

A Syrian man who has obtained still and video images of a person believed to be Yasuda said the journalist is currently detained by a splinter group of an organization previously called al-Nusra Front.

Yasuda may be mentally ill, the Syrian said.

Still and video images of a person believed to be Yasuda emerged in June this year and earlier in July, as well as in October last year.

In Tokyo, a senior Japanese government official said the person in the latest clip is believed to be Yasuda based on various information.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga received reports on the matter from Foreign Ministry and other officials at the prime minister's office Tuesday night. Jiji Press