Taliban want Japan to help with industry and infrastructure development.

In a recent interview after his visit to Japan, Deputy Minister of Economy Latif Nazari stated that the Taliban government wants to improve ties with Japan in order to secure assistance for the growth of Afghanistan’s industry and infrastructure.

Because of the Taliban’s oppressive policies against women, Japan is one of the nations that does not formally recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. However, Nazari maintained that the goal of the regime is “not to completely exclude women from social participation.”

In the Kabul interview with Kyodo News, he stated, “Women are working in places such as the Ministry of Education, airport, and even the police.”

Nazari was part of the delegation of senior Taliban officials who visited Japan in February at the invitation of grant-making organization Nippon Foundation, making it the first known visit by officials of the Islamist group since its takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

The Tokyo-based foundation did not disclose the details of the visit, citing “security reasons.” The Japanese Foreign Ministry has said the head of its Middle Eastern bureau had an informal exchange of views with the visiting Taliban members.

“The interim regime is hoping for a stronger relationship with Japan,” Nazari said in the interview, expressing hope that support from Japan will “improve the living standards for the Afghan people.”

Nazari also said the Taliban regime wants to build amicable relations with major powers, suggesting it is time for the United States to “move forward” and end a freeze on Afghanistan’s foreign assets, which has served as a drag on the economy. READ MORE