Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide says Japan is working with the United States in response to the situation in Afghanistan. However, his priority concerns Japanese citizens.

“Japan’s approach to the situation is to prioritize the safety of Japanese citizens and cooperate with the United States to respond in terms of Japan’s national interests appropriately,” Suga said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Since Japan has long been an ally with the United States, we have established a strong relationship of trust based on universal values and common principles. For 20 years, Japan, the United States, and the international community have been working toward reconstruction on the premise that Afghanistan would emerge as an independent country that can stand on its own two feet. But the situation has become uncertain since the Taliban entered into Kabul.”

“We recognize that the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan will continue to be crucial to peace and stability in the region and the international community,” Suga said.