The Japanese government says it is doing its best to secure the release of Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda, who is being held hostage in Syria. 

The remarks came after a photograph of the man was posted online Sunday. The picture showed a heavily bearded man holding a sign saying this is his “last chance.” Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said the man in the photo is likely Yasuda, and the government is now analyzing the image. 

A video of Yasuda had earlier surfaced in March this year. The footage showed him reading a message to his country and his family. Japanese media said he was captured by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front after entering Syria from Turkey last June.