The World - News from April 1, 1987

A Japanese executive whose kidnaping severely strained relations between Tokyo and Manila was freed unharmed after more than four months in captivity, the Philippine government announced. Nobuyuki Wakaoji, 53, the Manila branch manager of the Japanese trading giant Mitsui & Co., was freed by his captors in the Manila suburb of Quezon City, government spokesman Teodoro Benigno said. No ransom was paid, although the kidnapers reportedly had demanded up to $8 million, and no political motives were suspected. The kidnapers were still at large.