Japan vows to rescue journalist believed held in Syria

[sandensea]

Source: Washington Post

Japan’s government said Wednesday it’s doing its utmost for the rescue of a Japanese journalist believed to be held in Syria after a video of a man appearing to be him was posted on the internet.

Freelance journalist Jumpei Yasuda was last heard from in Syria in June 2015.

The man in the video released Tuesday said he was in harsh environment and needed an immediate rescue. The bearded man spoke in Japanese but said he’s Korean named “Umaru.” He cited the date as July 25, 2018, in the 20-second footage apparently filmed outdoors.

His most recent trip to Syria was in 2015 to report on his journalist friend Kenji Goto, who was taken hostage and killed by the Islamic State group.

Contact was lost with Yasuda after a message to another Japanese freelancer on June 23, 2015.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/japan-vows-to-rescue-journalist-believed-held-in-syria/2018/08/01/d7b3878c-954a-11e8-818b-e9b7348cd87d_story.html?utm_term=.bd4d9108cad6

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Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda and "rebel" captors.

[secondwind]

1. This poor man... I'm afraid it won't end well for him... these photos bring a lot of bad images

in my mind. God help you, my man, and may you be safely rescued soon.

[sandensea]

2. Hear, hear.

The fanatical "rebel" groups need to be stamped out.

[EX500rider]

3. Maybe should read "Vows to pay ransom"..

....since I don't think they have any military forces in the area and staging a rescue out of japan might be more then they can do.

[mysteryowl]

4. What a terrifying experience!

[moriah]

5. "Umaru" means essentially "to be buried" in Japanese according to Google.

It said several other videos have surfaced, but if they are publishing about this one, I'm afraid that could be seen/was interpreted as a potential signal he felt his death was imminent....

I'm praying for him.