Hello, I’m Ronda T. Payne, Christopher Stephan Payne’s mother.

Christopher has been held in Japan's Hostage Justice system in solitary confinement for the past 4 years. In December 2025, the conviction of 8 years based on fabricated evidence was overturned. Rather than the High Court declaring him innocent, they sent it back to the lower courts to do it. They are trying to hold it off another year even though he’s innocent.

Because Japan has gotten themselves in this mess and America is slow to move, Chris has started having some health issues. I sent him to Japan in 2013 a bright, healthy young man, and they are trying and have almost broken him. If it weren’t for my faith, I probably would be just as bad.

Word has come back that there is a possibility that they may release him if we can offer $50 to $100k. It is my hope that there is favor and someone stands up in both Japan and America and makes this right.

However, I need your help.

Thank you in advance.