Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed recent claims about issuing exclusive visas for talented Nigerians aiming to live and work in Kisarazu, a city recently linked with Nigeria through a cultural exchange arrangement.
This clarification came after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) introduced a new program fostering bonds between select Japanese cities and African nations.
Last week, JICA unveiled an ambitious campaign aimed at deepening relationships between Japan and Africa by designating four Japanese municipalities as “home towns” for specific African countries. This development pairs Imabari with Mozambique, Kisarazu with Nigeria, Sanjo with Ghana, and Nagai with Tanzania. The announcement coincided with the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama.
Notably, a statement forwarded by Abiodun Oladunjoye, director of information at Nigeria’s State House, claimed that Japan would develop a specialized visa category welcoming highly skilled Nigerian professionals and artisans prepared to enhance their skills and contribute to the workforce in Kisarazu, reported by Dawn Herald a few days ago.
This news quickly attracted widespread attention across both local and international media platforms.
However, the Japanese Foreign Ministry released a statement on Monday firmly denying these assertions. It specified that Tokyo has no intentions of implementing policies to facilitate immigrant admissions nor to create particular visa categories for African residents. Instead, the ministry emphasized that JICA’s efforts focus predominantly on encouraging cultural and social exchanges through volunteer programs and other community-driven activities.
According to the statement, the “JICA Africa Hometown” designation is designed to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between African countries and the designated Japanese cities, leveraging experiences gained from previous collaborative projects. The ministry reiterated that no immigration facilitation or special visa issuance should be inferred from the program’s objectives.
The ministry also assured that it will take measures to prevent misinformation and ensure precise communication concerning the program’s nature.
From the Nigerian side, a government official expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential to foster greater mutual understanding but welcomed the clarification regarding visa concerns, noting the importance of accurate information.
For now, both sides appear committed to strengthening ties through shared projects and events, with hopes of future collaboration, grounded in transparency and mutual respect, already underway.
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