Japan unveils special visa for talented Nigerians, says they’ll reside in Kisarazu

The Japanese government has designated the city of Kisarazu as a settlement hub for Nigerians who wish to live and work in the country, unveiling a special visa scheme aimed at attracting highly skilled and innovative talents from Africa’s largest economy.

The initiative, announced Thursday on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), is designed to boost cultural diplomacy, expand Japan’s workforce, and stimulate regional revitalisation.

Under the plan, a new visa category will be created for young Nigerians with exceptional skills, while artisans and blue-collar workers willing to upgrade their expertise will also benefit.

A statement signed Friday by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information, State House, said the programme will enable more Nigerians to live and work in Japan.

At a ceremony led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, additional designations were made: Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture as Tanzania’s hometown, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture as Ghana’s, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture as Mozambique’s.

“Through the arrangement, Japan looks to strengthen exchanges with the four African countries by officially connecting municipalities with existing relations with those nations,” the statement said.

Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe, received the official certificate naming Kisarazu as the hometown of Nigerians.

“The four cities will foster a foundation for two-way exchanges for manpower development that will add value to the economic growth of Japan, Nigeria, and the other three African nations. Local authorities hope that the designations will increase the population of their cities, contributing to their regional revitalisation efforts. Kisarazu was the official host town of the Nigerian contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The team conducted their pre-games training camps and acclimatisation in the city before moving to the Olympic village, in the COVID-19 delayed Olympic Games,” the statement added.

In his opening address at TICAD9, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced $5.5 billion in new investment for Africa, stressing collaboration, mutual understanding, and grassroots solutions.

“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa,” Ishiba said.

He acknowledged Japan’s ageing population and shrinking agricultural land, appealing to African nations for support as Japan tackles its demographic challenges.