Esther Salifu
Amid widespread reports suggesting the introduction of a special visa for Nigerians to relocate to Kisarazu, Japan has clarified that its recent partnership with Nigeria is centered on cultural exchange, not immigration.
The Japanese government has addressed misconceptions regarding its “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative, emphasizing that the program aims to foster cultural and developmental exchanges between Japan and select African countries, including Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
“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 clarification comes after reports emerged claiming that Japan would introduce a special visa category for skilled Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu.
These reports were based on a statement from Nigeria’s State House, which has since been contradicted by Japanese officials.
The “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative, announced during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), pairs four Japanese cities with four African countries to promote mutual understanding and collaboration. Kisarazu was designated as Nigeria’s partner city, with similar pairings for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique.
Japanese authorities have reiterated that the program is not linked to immigration policies. Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe stated:
“This is not an initiative that leads to accepting migrants or immigrants.”
The Japanese government has also requested corrections from Nigerian officials to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized its commitment to ensuring accurate reporting on the matter.
