A senior Taliban delegation, which includes officials from Afghanistan’s ministries of foreign affairs, economy, education, and health, has arrived in Japan for discussions with Japanese officials and humanitarian organizations.
Japan news outlet Asahi Shimbun reported that the delegation, which consists of about six people, arrived in Japan on Sunday for a weeklong visit. They are set to meet with officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, other government offices, and members of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi said the delegation is in the country for discussions as part of Tokyo’s efforts to support Afghanistan in building a more inclusive political system and protecting human rights.
The Japanese government did not disclose details about the delegation members or their schedule.
The Nippon Foundation, a private grant-making organization, which invited the Taliban delegation, said the visit aims to raise awareness of the dire conditions faced by women and children in Afghanistan. The group also highlighted its goal of urging Taliban officials to accept broader humanitarian assistance from the international community.
According to reports, this is the Taliban’s first known diplomatic visit outside the Central Asia-Middle East region since it took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Taliban Deputy Economy Minister Latif Nazari, who is part of the delegation, described the visit as part of efforts to engage with the international community.
“A high-level delegation from the Islamic Emirate is heading to Japan today. We are seeking dignified engagement with the world for a strong, united, advanced, prosperous, developed Afghanistan and an active member of the international community,” his post on X reads.
عازم جاپان هستیم
هیات بلندپایه امارت اسلامی امروز عازم جاپان است. ما برای یک افغانستان قوی، متحد، پیشرفته، مرفه، توسعه یافته و عضو فعال جامعه بین المللی در پی تعامل عزت مندانه با جهان هستیم. pic.twitter.com/QBowjyPBXx— Dr.latif nazari (@Drnazari18) February 15, 2025
The visit comes amid ongoing concerns over Taliban governance, particularly their restrictions on women’s rights, education, and political participation.
