Tokyo: An image of a freelance Japanese journalist who went missing in Syria has been posted online.
A Syrian anti-government activist uploaded what appeared to be the photo of Jumpei Yasuda on Sunday, public broadcaster NHK reported.
He is holding a sheet of paper on which is written in Japanese "Please help me. This is the last chance. Jumpei Yasuda".
Yasuda hails from Saitama prefecture, near Tokyo. He became a freelance journalist after working as a newspaper reporter.
He has been covering conflict areas, including Syria and Iraq.
Yasuda went missing after entering Syria from southern Turkey accompanied by a guide in June 2015.
Informed sources said Yasuda is being detained by the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front group.
The Nusra Front reportedly released three Spanish journalists earlier this month.
