A 66-year-old Japanese businessman visiting South Africa asked his family at home on Friday to send $50000 as ransom for his release from captivity under unclear circumstances, police said. The businessman, whose name was withheld, telephoned his 32-year-old eldest son in Tokyo twice to give the bank account and other details for the requested payment. The Japanese foreign ministry also said a friend of the father’s also received a similar request. ”I have been confined. They won’t release me until the money is paid. Please send $50000,” the businessman was quoted by his son as saying. The Yokohama-based businessman, who left home in mid-May on an alleged business trip to Nigeria, is feared to have been kidnapped.