Senior officials from the Taliban arrived in Japan, marking a significant step in Tokyo’s efforts to support the establishment of a more inclusive political framework in Afghanistan and to advocate for the protection of human rights, according to AP News.
The visit represents the Taliban’s first known diplomatic excursion outside the Central Asia-Middle East region since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
The senior Taliban officials, whose identities remain undisclosed, were invited by the Nippon Foundation, a grant-making organisation. They are also scheduled to hold talks with officials from Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed during a press briefing on Monday.
According to a statement released by the Nippon Foundation, the Taliban delegation was invited to foster a broader understanding of the necessity for inclusive nation-building and to encourage the acceptance of international humanitarian aid for vulnerable populations. However, Japan does not formally recognise the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
Hayashi emphasised that while the visit was initiated by a private entity, it aligns with the Japanese government’s broader efforts to collaborate with the international community in urging the Taliban to implement policy reforms that safeguard human rights.
One of the primary obstacles to the Taliban gaining formal recognition as Afghanistan’s official government is the stringent restrictions they have imposed on women and girls, which have drawn widespread condemnation.
The trip was first brought to light by Latif Nazari, the Taliban’s Deputy Economy Minister, who announced on the social media platform X that a “high-level delegation” was en route to Japan. Nazari stated that the Taliban aims to engage with the global community in a dignified manner, positioning itself as an active participant in international affairs.
