Afghanistan Embassy in Tokyo to Cease Operations at End of January

As January comes to a close, the Afghanistan Embassy in Tokyo will officially halt its activities, a decision confirmed by Afghanistan’s former ambassador to Japan.

Sheida Abdali, the former Afghan ambassador in Tokyo, posted on the social media platform X that she has left Tokyo and the embassy behind. She described her diplomatic mission as “unfinished,” reflecting the uncertain status of Afghanistan’s diplomatic representations following recent political developments.

Previously, on December 26, the Afghanistan Embassy in Tokyo announced that all its political and consular activities would be suspended as of January 31. This decision has been formally communicated to the relevant authorities.

In recent months, several Afghan embassies in other countries have also ceased operations. However, the Taliban administration has yet to announce the appointment of a new ambassador to Japan or clarify the future of the embassy and how it will be managed. This ongoing uncertainty has raised concerns about Afghan citizens’ access to consular services and official representation abroad.