Japan’s Afghanistan policy after the Taliban’s return to power

The article highlights the latest trends in the development of Japanese foreign policy towards Afghanistan in the context of the Taliban coming to power. It is shown that Japan participated in addressing the problems of Afghanistan back in the 1990s, and, after the start of the US anti-terrorist operation in 2001, its presence in the region reached a new level. Japan's contribution to post-conflict resolution was multifaceted, and, as a result of it, Japan not only established new formats of interaction with a wide range of actors, but also built stable, trusting relationships with various political forces in Afghanistan. Japan also acquired a benign reputation among the population of this country, becoming one of the main donors of aid in the period of 2002–2021. Japan's experience in assisting Afghanistan in the 1990s – 2020s, as well as its economic power, determine the Taliban's interest. The reconfiguration of political forces in the region as a result of the arrival of a new government in Afghanistan affects the political and economic interests of Japan, despite the geographical remoteness and the absence of investment projects before the regime change. Tokyo continues its dialogue with Kabul both at the official level and with the involvement of non-governmental organizations, but refrains from any significant international initiatives, preferring to exert soft diplomatic pressure with an emphasis on ensuring human rights, combining it with the provision of humanitarian assistance to the country's population. In the face of declining interest in Afghanistan on the part of Washington, Tokyo is looking for new ways of cooperation with the international community on the problems of this country, including establishment of a closer dialogue with the Muslim world.