An influential Tokyo-based pro-North Korea outlet on Thursday confirmed that Japanese sushi chef Kenji Fujimoto is alive, in response to media reports that he may be detained for leaking information to an intelligence agency.

A Korean-language report, carried by the Choson Sinbo — a newspaper run by the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) — said that the “rumors of the arrest were fabricated” and included a photo of Fujimoto working at his restaurant in Pyongyang.