Japanese PM Abe thanks Turkish counterpart Erdogan for rescuing journalist Jumpei Yasuda

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thanked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a telephone call on Wednesday for the 'rescue' and arrival in Turkey of journalist Jumpei Yasuda, a Turkish presidential source said.

Freelance journalist Yasuda earlier confirmed that he was alive and well and in Turkey after being captured in Syria three years ago, according to a video released by the local governor's office.