National / Crime & Legal Jan 13, 2020
Former Syria hostage Jumpei Yasuda sues Japan for denying him passport
The journalist says denying him a passport is “a violation of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of movement abroad.”
National Jul 16, 2019
Ex-captive Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda denied passport by Foreign Ministry
Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda, who returned home last year after more than three years of captivity in Syria, said Tuesday the government has denied him a new passport, effectively preventing him from traveling overseas. The Foreign Ministry notified him on July 10 that it based ...
National Jun 6, 2019
Freed Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda has been attempting to obtain new passport for five months
Journalist Jumpei Yasuda, who returned home last year after more than three years in captivity in Syria, has been attempting to obtain a passport for five months but the Foreign Ministry has yet to make a decision on his application. The 45-year-old freelance journalist said ...
National Jan 1, 2019
The Japan Times newsroom selected the following domestic news stories as the most important of 2018.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Dec 29, 2018
Heisei Era a bumpy ride for Japan's media organizations
by Philip Brasor
The media is busy assessing the Heisei Era as it comes to a close. Although not as dramatic as the Showa Era, it's been a bumpy ride. Japan still hasn't gotten the hang of this democracy thing, and an engaged, objective press is essential ...
National Dec 26, 2018
by Magdalena Osumi
When freelance journalist Jumpei Yasuda returned to Japan in October after being held captive by a militant group in Syria for over three years, 33-year-old Noriaki Imai was confounded and disappointed by the muted reception he received from the public, with many blaming the ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Nov 10, 2018
Japan's news outlets weigh in on Jumpei Yasuda's culpability in Syria kidnapping
by Philip Brasor
Freelance reporter Jumpei Yasuda gave a three-hour news conference at the Japan National Press Club on Nov. 2 about his hostage ordeal, describing in detail how he was kidnapped after entering Syria in 2015 and then held for more than three years. He also ...
National / Politics Nov 6, 2018
Foreign Minister Taro Kono expressed gratitude to his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, for Ankara's efforts in securing the release last month of journalist Jumpei Yasuda from a militant group in Syria. During a joint appearance with Cavusoglu in Tokyo on Monday, Kono said Turkey is ...
National Nov 3, 2018
Canadian held captive in Syria says Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda doesn't deserve criticism
The reporter, who returned to Japan late last month after 40 months of captivity, has been slammed by some for putting himself in harm’s way.
National Nov 2, 2018
Freed journalist Jumpei Yasuda expresses gratitude, apologizes over Syria ordeal
by Magdalena Osumi
Journalist Jumpei Yasuda, who returned to Japan last month after being held by militants in Syria for more than three years, said Thursday that he did not hold any grudge toward the Japanese government over his ordeal. "I believe the government officials did everything they ...
National Oct 30, 2018
Freed journalist Jumpei Yasuda describes 'huge' facility where he was held hostage
Jumpei Yasuda, a journalist who returned to Japan last week after more than three years of captivity in Syria, on Monday gave further details of his time as a hostage, including how he believes another foreigner was also being held at the facility. The 44-year-old ...
National Oct 25, 2018
From 'hell' to home: Journalist Jumpei Yasuda arrives in Japan after three years in captivity
After three years of "hell," journalist Jumpei Yasuda is home. Yasuda arrived at Narita airporton Thursday evening, reuniting with his wife and parents for the first time since he was abducted by an Islamist militant group in Syria three years ago. The 44-year-old freelance journalist was ...