Bobby Fischer supporters say Japan's Justice Ministry has informed them chess great will leave for Iceland

Supporters of former chess champion Bobby Fischer said Wednesday that the Japanese Justice Ministry has informed them Fischer will be allowed to leave Japan for Iceland on Thursday.

John Bosnitch of the Committee to Free Bobby Fischer said ministry officials told the chess legend's supporters that Fischer would be allowed to leave his immigration detention center north of Tokyo on Thursday morning. It wasn't immediately clear whether ministry officials would escort Fischer to Tokyo's international airport at Narita.

Bosnitch said the ministry gave no reason for its decision.

"We've been in touch with officials," Bosnitch said. "He'll be released tomorrow."

Associated Press