A spokesman for the Taliban has said the Islamist group wants to maintain good relations with Japan, expressing hope that the country will reopen its recently shuttered embassy in Afghanistan soon.

Suhail Shaheen, a Doha-based spokesman, told Kyodo News that the Taliban appreciates the activities of Japanese nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan and stressed that the group will guarantee the safety of Japanese nationals and their property, as well as that of local staff working at the country's embassy and NGOs.

"We all Afghans should come together for the rebuilding our country and rehabilitation. No one is targeted as supporter of invaders and collaborators of U.S. (and others)," Shaheen said in recorded answers received by Tuesday to questions sent via WhatsApp.