Japan has denied reports that it intends to create a special visa category for Nigerians wishing to relocate to Kisarazu, a city recently designated as Nigeria’s “hometown” under a new cultural exchange initiative.
The clarification came following widespread reports that emerged after the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) held last week in Yokohama, where the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ programme to strengthen ties between African countries and Japanese local governments.
Under the initiative, JICA designated four Japanese cities as hometowns for four African countries: Kisarazu for Nigeria, Nagai for Tanzania, Sanjo for Ghana, and Imabari for Mozambique.
Earlier reports, including a statement dated August 22 from Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, claimed that Japan would create a “special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.” The statement also suggested that artisans and other blue-collar Nigerian workers seeking to upskill would benefit from the visa.
However, in a statement on Monday, the Japanese Foreign Ministry dismissed these claims. The ministry confirmed that the JICA Africa Hometown programme aims to promote exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries through activities such as events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers.
The statement emphasised: “There are no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries, and the series of reports and announcements concerning such measures are not true.”
The Japanese Foreign Ministry added that it would continue to issue appropriate statements regarding the programme to prevent misunderstandings.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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