Photo/Illutration An infant receives a vaccination on Jan. 29 at a medical facility in Logar, Afghanistan, supported by Japanese aid. (Takashi Ishihara)

The government has agreed to meet a delegation of senior Taliban officials who are visiting Tokyo at the invitation of a private organization.

“The visit is significant as it complements Japan’s ongoing efforts (to urge the Taliban to respect human rights),” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi on Feb. 17.

He also revealed that senior officials from the Foreign Ministry are scheduled to meet with the Taliban officials.

The delegation, which consists of about six people, is believed to include Taliban officials at the deputy minister level in charge of economy, diplomacy, education and other policies. They arrived in Tokyo on Feb. 16 for a weeklong stay.

They will meet with officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other government offices as well as members of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, which invited the delegation to Japan.

This marks the Taliban’s first visit to Japan since it effectively recaptured control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

It is seen as part of the Islamic group’s efforts to strengthen relations with Japan to secure increased aid and avoid further isolation from the international community.

Amid concerns about human rights, particularly the rights of women, no country has recognized the Taliban as legitimately representing Afghanistan.

Before the visit, Abdul Latif Nazari, the Taliban’s deputy minister for economy, posted on social media that the organization is seeking dignified relations with the world.

The Nippon Foundation, which coordinated the visit with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, has stated that the visit aims to raise awareness about the severe conditions faced by women and children in Afghanistan.

It also emphasized its goal of encouraging Taliban officials to accept broader humanitarian aid from the international community.

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