Okada urges IEA to allow girls in schools, varsities

KABUL (TOLOnews): The outgoing ambassador of Japan in Kabul, Takashi Okada, stressed that education for all is a key to peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying that Japan hoped that girls can return to their schools “soon.”

He made the remarks in an interview with TOLOnews. “Japan is supporting the country with the educational sector. Together with UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) we are going to build 165 primary schools all over the country. We hope that the boys and girls have a better opportunity to access education,” he said.

Okada also stressed the fulfilment of the demands of the international community by the Islamic Emirate to be recognized. “We are engaging with the de facto authority. We have dialogues and our hope is that the de facto authority will improve their governance in the interest of the Afghan people. Then if that happens, there will be more extended possibilities for cooperation between the de facto authority and the international community,” he said.

The outgoing Japanese ambassador voiced concerns over terrorist activities in Afghanistan. “Unfortunately, the country is safer, and the stability is better but still those terrorist active in some parts of the country, so I hope that the authority will be able to prevent those terrorists,” Okada said.

This comes as on Saturday Okada met with acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to bid him goodbye, Abdul Qahar Balkhi a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign said on X. Okada said that his mission in Afghanistan has ended and now Takayushi Kormaya will be Japanese ambassador to Afghanistan, according to Balkhi.