Japanese journalist captured by ISIS in Syria breaks silence after release
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Jumpei Yasuda, who spent 40 months in ISIS captivity in Syria, spoke publicly for the first time since being released by the extremists in October, saying he was merely trying to report on those living under ISIS's reign.
Yasuda spoke at the Japan National Press Club on Friday, apologizing to the Japanese government for becoming involved in his case.
"We walked for about an hour on the way. We crossed the border of Syria in Turkey, and then a two-man team kind of grabbed my arms. It wasn't with strong force, but almost like they were prodding me and forced me onto pickup track," he said at a press conference on Friday, according to state TV.
He revealed that he had spent more than three years being held by ISIS in factories, house and other places before being released on October 23.
"I would like to apologize and extended my deepest gratitude to all those who worked to secure my release and those who worried about me. Thank you so very much," he added, then bowed deeply.
He said he was hoping to report on how people were living in Idlib governorate which was under the control of anti-government rebels in June 2015.
The UK-based conflict monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported large sums of money were paid for his release.
The Japanese government has not confirmed it paid a ransom, but acknowledges Qatar and Turkey helped in his release.
"I am sorry that the Japanese government became embroiled due to my actions," Yasuda added.
Yasuda, who has been receiving medical and mental health treatment since his return, said it was his "responsibility to explain as much as I can about what happened."
Japan, which rarely gets directly involved in Middle Eastern conflicts, has faced domestic public scrutiny for his reporting.
"I think it's only natural for people to criticize and scrutinize what happened." he explained. "Some [of the things being said] are not based on facts, so my request is that criticism against me be based on facts."
He believes that now he has a "blank slate" and hasn't decided whether he will continue to report in conflict zones.
Yasuda spoke at the Japan National Press Club on Friday, apologizing to the Japanese government for becoming involved in his case.
"We walked for about an hour on the way. We crossed the border of Syria in Turkey, and then a two-man team kind of grabbed my arms. It wasn't with strong force, but almost like they were prodding me and forced me onto pickup track," he said at a press conference on Friday, according to state TV.
He revealed that he had spent more than three years being held by ISIS in factories, house and other places before being released on October 23.
"I would like to apologize and extended my deepest gratitude to all those who worked to secure my release and those who worried about me. Thank you so very much," he added, then bowed deeply.
He said he was hoping to report on how people were living in Idlib governorate which was under the control of anti-government rebels in June 2015.
The UK-based conflict monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported large sums of money were paid for his release.
The Japanese government has not confirmed it paid a ransom, but acknowledges Qatar and Turkey helped in his release.
"I am sorry that the Japanese government became embroiled due to my actions," Yasuda added.
Yasuda, who has been receiving medical and mental health treatment since his return, said it was his "responsibility to explain as much as I can about what happened."
Japan, which rarely gets directly involved in Middle Eastern conflicts, has faced domestic public scrutiny for his reporting.
"I think it's only natural for people to criticize and scrutinize what happened." he explained. "Some [of the things being said] are not based on facts, so my request is that criticism against me be based on facts."
He believes that now he has a "blank slate" and hasn't decided whether he will continue to report in conflict zones.