Japanese man on way home after release from NKorean custody

AP  |  Tokyo 

say a Japanese man released by North after being accused of a crime has arrived in from and is expected to return home.

had been in North Korean custody for an investigation into the unspecified crime, but the North's official Agency said Sunday the country decided to be lenient and expel him for humanitarian reasons.

confirmed Sugimoto's arrival in on Tuesday morning. NHK television quoted a Japanese as confirming the man's identity. He is expected to return home later Tuesday.

Japanese officials refused to confirm the reports publicly.

Earlier reports say Sugimoto was believed to be a videographer and North may have suspected him of filming a military facility.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, August 28 2018. 11:10 IST