Japan confirms detainment of Japanese journalist near Mosul

JAPAN'S top government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, confirmed on Tuesday (November 1) that Japanese journalist Kosuke Tsuneoka had been detained by Kurdish authorities near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul, where fierce fighting is taking place between Islamic State fighters and U.S.-backed Iraqi forces.

"We are aware that Mr. Tsuneoka has been detained by local authorities in the Kurdish region," Suga told reporters.

"We will send our requests to local authorities for the appropriate treatment of Mr. Tsuneoka. They have already begun their investigations into the case and we are waiting for specifics information at this time," he added.

Japanese media reported the 47-year old being taken in to custody by Kurdish Peshmerga forces, who are currently fighting alongside the Iraqi military in a U.S.-led coalition to reclaim Mosul.

Tsuneoka was abducted and held captive for nearly five months by a militant group in Afghanistan in 2010 while covering the battle there and in Iraq in 2004.