A former Self-Defense Forces member detained in northern Iraq's Kurdistan autonomous region last February told police he was attempting to enter an area controlled by the Islamic State militant group, investigative sources said Friday.
The man in his 20s from Osaka Prefecture was detained by Kurdistan authorities after entering Iraq by land via Turkey. At the time, he was carrying a helmet and dressed in a camouflage uniform.
The Japanese Embassy in Iraq sent staff to the Kurdistan autonomous region to meet the man, who was released several days later and returned to Japan.
The police in Osaka questioned him on suspicion of breaking the passport law by providing false information when applying for a passport.
Earlier this year, two Japanese hostages were beheaded by Islamic State extremists after entering Syria.