CITY NEWS SERVICE
A 23-year-old Japanese foreign exchange student who was reported missing contacted authorities, who determined that he was unharmed and simply did not want to return to his previous residence, police said Monday.
Ryu Asaoka had last been seen around 7:15 p.m. June 14 in the area of Olympic and Rimpau boulevards, and police circulated his photo and sought public help to find him.
“As a result of the media coverage, a citizen notified the (police) department, and provided information on the whereabouts of Asaoka,” according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement.
“Officers made contact with Asaoka,” the LAPD reported. “He advised that he was ‘OK,’ and wished to remain at his current location. He did not want to return to his previous residence. The reporting party was notified, and (was) advised of the developments, as well as Asaoka’s right to privacy.”