Afghan Embassy In Japan Closes, Says Former Envoy
Afghanistan’s embassy in Tokyo formally ceased operations on Saturday, according to the mission’s outgoing ambassador.
Afghanistan’s embassy in Tokyo formally ceased operations on Saturday, according to the mission’s outgoing ambassador.
Shida Mohammad Abdali, who was appointed by Afghanistan’s former government, said he was leaving Tokyo “with deep sadness” and was proud to have kept the national flag flying over the embassy until the final moment.
The embassy had continued to operate under diplomats appointed by the previous Afghan administration. It recently announced it would suspend activities following consultations with Japan’s foreign ministry.
According to the embassy, all political, economic, cultural and consular activities of the Afghan mission in Tokyo will be halted from January 31 until further notice.
Abdali expressed hope that the national flag would continue to fly at the embassy until a legitimate Afghan representative is appointed.
Some ambassadors and diplomats from Afghanistan’s former government have refused to cooperate with the Taliban or hand over diplomatic missions to the current authorities.
Japan is among countries that maintain engagement with the Taliban while continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Japan’s embassy in Kabul remains operational, but Tokyo has not recognised the Taliban administration or transferred control of Afghanistan’s embassy to the group.
