1. Background and Chronology
1973: Republican institution induced by the coup d'état
1978: Communist revolution
1979: Soviet military invasion
February 1989: Soviet military withdrawal
April 1992: Collapse of the Najibullah Administration ('86-92), continuation of civil war
Around 1994: Taliban (meaning "students of God") arrive on the scene
September 1996: Taliban take control of the capital, Kabul
October 1999: Adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 stipulating sanctions against the Taliban on grounds that they offered sanctuary to Usama Bin Ladin (UBL)
September 2000: Taloqan City, an anti-Taliban faction base, falls to the Taliban
December 2000: Adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1333 stipulating additional sanctions against the Taliban criticizing their continuing support of terrorism and cultivation of narcotics, etc.
2. Domestic Outline in Afghanistan
The domestic situation in Afghanistan is illustrated by the battle between various Mujahadeen factions (anti-Taliban factions known as the "Northern Alliance"), which control the northeast of the country, mainly the Rabbani faction (Tajik), Dostum faction (Uzbek) and the Shia faction's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan (which is Hazara, and split between the Hariri and Akbari factions), and the Taliban (mainly Pashtuns), which control 80-90% of the country's territory, including the capital, Kabul. The Northern Alliance is currently believed to operate under the command of the united military council, whose leader is General Ahmad Shah Masud of the Rabbani faction.
Reference: The Taliban
The Taliban, meaning "students of God," is composed of Islamic students (Sunni faction) with its base located in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.
The Taliban was established around 1994 by Mullah Muhammad Omar, teacher of a school of Islamic studies, and several of his friends. The Taliban initiated a holy war aimed at establishing a true Islamic state as well as domestic security and peace. At first, the Taliban's objective was to restore law and order based on Islamic law, but they expanded their power to seize most of the territory in Afghanistan.
Assistance from some countries as well as support of the people, who had grown tired of internal conflict and longed for stability, rapidly expanded the Taliban's influence. After taking control of the capital Kabul in September 1996, they declared the establishment of an Islamic emirate.
3. Japan's Stance
Japan is concerned at the continued warring in Afghanistan. Based on the recognition that establishing a broad-based government supported across all of Afghan society through unconditional ceasefire, reopening of direct dialogue and termination of outside interference represents a unique path to achieving eternal peace, Japan is assisting and complementing the peace efforts of the United Nations and other organizations from a neutral position as a friend of the same Asia. Japan has expressed that if genuine dialogue toward peace is realized, it is prepared to hold in Tokyo a conference for peace and restoration in Afghanistan in cooperation with the United Nations.
Furthermore, Japan is concerned with the plight of the people of Afghanistan and has implemented assistance through international organizations and other means.