A Japanese freelance journalist, who was freed after more than three years of captivity by militants in Syria, says he's safe.
Jumpei Yasuda released a video from neighboring Turkey on Wednesday, saying he was happy to be going home.
He also told reporters on the plane to Istanbul that he would think about what to do once back in Japan.
"……I am happy that I can return to Japan. At the same time I don't know what will happen from here or what I should do. I am thinking about what I need to do."
Yasuda was kidnapped in 2015 by an al-Qaida affiliate in northern Syria.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Yasuda's release came late Tuesday from Qatar, which helped in obtaining his freedom along with Turkey and other countries in the region.