Tokyo, Oct 29, IRNA - Iranian security authorities have said several tribes in Iran are stepping up efforts to secure the release of a Japanese student kidnapped in Southeastern Iran earlier this month, It was reported Monday.

The Japanese state television network, NHK, quoted Iranian security authorities as saying that influential figures from tribes, including that of the kidnappers, were working together to press the group to free Nakamura Satoshi immediately.

Nakamura, a 23-year-old university student, was kidnapped by a group of bandits near the city of Bam in southeastern province of Kerman on October 7, 2007.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, said on Sunday in a statement that Nakamura is still believed to be in the border area between Iran and Pakistan.

The spokesman said the kidnapped Japanese national had been confirmed to be doing well with no health problems.

... Payvand News - 10/29/07 ... --