The Japanese government has denied claims that its new “JICA Africa Hometown” programme includes special visas or immigration benefits for Nigerians or other Africans.
In a statement on Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said reports suggesting that Nigerians relocating to Kisarazu city would receive a new visa category were inaccurate.
The ministry clarified that during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the Africa Hometown programme to promote cultural and economic exchanges between African nations and Japanese local governments.
The programme designates four Japanese cities as “hometowns” for four African countries, with plans to foster cooperation through events and volunteer initiatives. However, the ministry stressed that no measures are in place to encourage immigration or grant special visas to African nationals.
Last week, Nigeria’s Federal Government, in a statement signed by State House Director of Information Abiodun Oladunjoye, had announced that Japan named Kisarazu city the “hometown” for Nigerians and would create a visa category for highly skilled youths and artisans seeking to live and work there.
Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Japan, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe reportedly received a certificate formalizing the city’s designation as a “hometown” for Nigerians.
