Wife Appeals for Release of Japanese Journalist Held by Islamic Extremists

August 8, 2018

Tokyo- The wife of Japanese journalist Junpei Yasuda, 44, who is believed to be held by Islamic extremists, made an appeal for his immediate release at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.

"Please return him as soon as possible," the wife, Myu, a musician, said emotionally. She appeared in public for the first time since her husband went missing in Syria in 2015.

The press conference followed the online release last month of a video showing a man who appeared to be Yasuda asking for help, with two masked men carrying guns and standing behind him.

Myu said she believes the man in the video is her husband. "I kept silence for three years as the Japanese government was working to rescue him," she said. "But after I saw the video showing him at gunpoint, I fear that he's in an urgent situation now."

The wife said she has not received detailed information from the government, including on whether there has been a ransom demand.

"My husband was determined to tell uncovered realities," said Myu. "I wish he could be back on Japanese soil as soon as possible." Jiji Press