A 68-year-old Japanese man suspected of having been abducted by North Korea in 1985 was found alive in Japan in late November, police said Thursday.

Police officials denied the possibility that Masanori Katsuki, who went missing in Tokyo in February 1985, was abducted by North Korea, saying he was not involved in an accident or criminal incident.

Katsuki went missing after temporarily returning from the United States, where he had worked as a sushi chef. At the time, he was preparing to leave for the United States, the officials said.

Police have not disclosed details, including where Katsuki was found, citing privacy considerations.

With the discovery of Katsuki, the number of missing people categorized as possible victims of North Korean abduction stands at 883, according to the National Police Agency.