Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Japan has urged the Taliban to uphold human rights during a rare diplomatic meeting in Tokyo, marking the first known visit by senior members of the hard-line Islamist group to Japan since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
Toshihide Ando, head of the ministry’s Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau and Japan’s special representative for Afghanistan, met with a Taliban delegation led by Latif Nazari, the group’s deputy minister of economy, for an informal “exchange of views” on Tuesday. Ando pressed the Taliban to respect human rights, particularly women’s rights, and to govern in a way that “reflects the voice of the Afghan people,” according to the ministry.
Since returning to power, the Taliban have severely restricted women’s rights, banning secondary and higher education for girls and imposing strict dress codes and employment restrictions. The group remains internationally isolated, with no country, including Japan, recognizing it as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
In a letter sent to Kyodo News, Nazari expressed a desire for “strong, friendly, and deep relations with Japan,” praising Tokyo for its non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. While details of the Tokyo talks were not disclosed, Nazari urged Japan to expand assistance in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He also invited Japanese businesses to invest in Afghanistan, claiming that the country now offers security, a corruption-free environment, and favorable conditions for investors.
The Taliban delegation arrived in Tokyo on Sunday at the invitation of the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese nonprofit organization. The meeting comes as Afghanistan faces economic struggles, diplomatic isolation, and continued restrictions on civil liberties under Taliban rule.
