Japanese national feared captured in Syria

2014-08-19 117

The Japanese government is trying to confirm if one of its citizens has been captured in Syria by the militant group Islamic State.

The man was seen in a YouTube video lying on the ground being questioned by unseen people.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) MAN ON GROUND AS VOICES AROUND SAYING:

"Where are you from? Don't lie to me. You are not from Japan, where are you from."

MAN BELIEVED TO BE HARUNA YUKAWA ON GROUND SAYING:

"Japan"

MALE VOICE SAYING:

"Why are you here?"

MAN BELIEVED TO BE HARUNA YUKAWA ON GROUND SAYING:

"Job. Photography"

MALE VOICE SAYING:

"No, no, no. Photograph not dressed like this"

The man says his name is Haruna Yukawa.

That's the same name as the chief executive of a self-described private mercenary and security firm based in Tokyo.

Japan's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Akitaka Saiki says they're trying to find out more about Yukawa's situation.

(SOUNDBITE)(Japanese) VICE MINISTE