MANILA, Philippines -- A Japanese executive kidnapped more than four months ago was freed Tuesday suffering fatigue but with no serious injuries despite an earlier report the man's finger had been cut off, officials said Wednesday.
Nobuyuki Wakaoji, the Manila branch manager of the Japanese trading giant Mitsui and Co., was freed Tuesday night by his captors near a church in the Manila suburb of Quezon City, government spokesman Teodoro Benigno said.
No ransom was paid and no explanation was given for his release, he said.
Wakaoji, who was released clean shaven and wearing clean clothing, rode a mini-bus to a nearby hotel and called his associates at Mitsui, who picked him up for a meeting with Japanese Embassy officials, Benigno said.
The Japanese Embassy issued a statement saying the government was 'greatly pleased' at Wakaoji's release, and expressed hope that the release would 'lead to further promotion of friendly and cordial relations between the two countries.'
Wakaoji, 54, was staying Wednesday at an undisclosed hospital, where he was suffering from fatigue but was apparently in good health despite 137 days captivity, Benigno said.
'He was never hurt, he was never tortured by his kidnappers,' Benigno said, adding Wakaoji reported he was handcuffed and his legs were bound while in captivity.
'I am greatly relieved and thankful that Mr. Wakaoji has been released,' President Corazon Aquino said in a statement. 'However, I want the police to go after the kidnappers and continue the investigation until the perpetrators are finally apprehended.'
Wakaoji was abducted by seven to 12 people on Nov. 15 on his way home from a round of golf in the Manila suburb of Canlubang. Unconfirmed reports said the kidnappers had demanded a ransom as high as $8 million.
Benigno declined to give details on why Wakaoji was abducted but said the kidnapping was not politically motivated.
He discounted an earlier report that Wakaoji's finger had been cut off, saying a picture of the capitve Wakoaji sent to a Japanese news agency was 'retouched.'
Wakaoji's release also was announced by the Japanese Embassy. Aquino said last month Wakaoji's kidnapping had 'seriously affected' Japanese aid to the Philippines.
'This case was an unfortunate one,' Japanese Foreign Minister Tadashi Kuranari said at a news conference in Tokyo. He said he hoped Wakaoji's release would lead to 'further deepening of friendly relations' between Japan and the Philippines.
