Japan continued efforts Thursday to evacuate its nationals and local staff working at its embassy and other Japanese organizations in conflict-torn Afghanistan, officials said, amid chaos at the international airport in Kabul following the takeover by the Taliban.
Japan has already sent three Self-Defense Forces transport planes to Islamabad in neighboring Pakistan and dispatched about 10 personnel from its defense and foreign ministries to Kabul to coordinate with U.S. forces, which are in control of the airport.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said in a meeting with other members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that the aim is to accomplish the evacuation by Friday, citing how it would be hard to airlift beyond Aug. 31 when the United States pulls out its troops. Government sources also said Japan aims to finish its evacuation mission by Friday.