Japanese journalist captured in Syria likely to return

Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda, who was abducted in Syria three years ago, is believed to have been released and is likely to return Tokyo.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday confirmed that a person living in an immigrant facility in Antakya, Turkey is might be the captured journalist, reported CNN.

Qatar informed the Japanese government about the man and his stay at the facility.

At a press conference in Tokyo, Suga stated, "We are still working to identify this person, but putting together various information, the person is highly likely to be Yasuda himself and we have informed that to his wife."

Yasuda, who was working as a freelance war reporter, has been missing since June 2015.

Suga, however, reiterated that the government will need some time to confirm the identity of the person to ensure that he is, in fact, the kidnapped journalist.