The Japanese government has dismissed reports suggesting it was creating a special visa category for skilled Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu, recently designated as Nigeria’s “hometown” under a new cultural exchange initiative.
The clarification follows widespread media reports last week citing a statement from the Nigerian presidency that Tokyo would introduce a visa scheme for “highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians” to live and work in Kisarazu.
The statement, signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, further claimed that artisans and blue-collar workers looking to upskill would also benefit.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 25, 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the claim, stressing that no such immigration policy is being considered.
The Statement
“The ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ programme plans to promote exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries through various activities, including the organisation of exchange events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers.”
On the other hand, 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 ministry said.
The initiative was first announced during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, where the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) unveiled the “JICA Africa Hometown” programme to deepen cultural and educational ties between Africa and Japanese localities.
Under the scheme, Kisarazu was paired with Nigeria, while Nagai was matched with Tanzania, Sanjo with Ghana, and Imabari with Mozambique.
The project is focused on cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges, not immigration.
Japan’s foreign ministry added that it would “continue to issue appropriate statements on the subject” to prevent further misinformation.
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