Japan considers moving embassy in Kabul to Doha: FM

Japan said on Tuesday that it is considering moving the Japanese embassy for Afghanistan to Qatar in the near future as Taliban has its political office there.

"Doha in Qatar will be the political hub of Taliban as they have their political office there. I believe that's where they will be communicating from," said Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi in a press conference

"We are currently considering moving our hub from Istanbul to Qatar along with Ambassador Okada."   

Japan closed its Kabul embassy on August 15 and set up a temporary office in neighboring Turkey two days later.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said long-term humanitarian support would be necessary in Afghanistan and Japan will continue to work closely with all related countries to keep the country from becoming a hotbed of terrorist activity.

Asked about his opinion on the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, Motegi said that it marked the beginning of a new phase to which Japan will continue to pay close attention.