Journalists warned about Taliban

The Japanese government Wednesday warned journalists working in Afghanistan that they could become targeted for kidnapping by members of the Taliban.

"The possibility is increasing that media people may be subject to kidnapping by armed groups of the Taliban," the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry added that it cannot rule out the possibility and that journalists working in Afghanistan should notify the Japanese Embassy in Kabul of their whereabouts.

The warning follows one issued Friday by the U.S. State Department that said Taliban forces are seeking to kidnap U.S. journalists to use them as leverage to obtain the release of Taliban members being held by the United States.