Japan breaks silence over rumoured plans to create special visas for Nigerians

The Government of Japan has debunked reports suggesting that it is creating a special visa category for Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu City, which was recently designated as Nigeria’s “hometown” in Japan.

The clarification follows speculations after the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held last week in Yokohama. At the event, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the launch of the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative, aimed at deepening partnerships between African nations and Japanese local governments.

Under the program, JICA assigned four Japanese cities to four African countries to promote cultural exchange, cooperation, and mutual development. Kisarazu was paired with Nigeria as part of this initiative.

Kisarazu was named as Nigeria’s hometown; Nagai as the hometown of Tanzania; Sanjo was matched to Ghana; and Imabari as the hometown of Mozambique.
A statement signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, director of information at the State House, had said the Japanese government would create “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work”.

“Artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan,” the statement dated August 22 added.

The development was widely reported locally and internationally.

But in a statement on Monday, the Japanese foreign ministry denied such plans.

It confirmed that 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 statement added.

The Japanese foreign ministry said it would continue to ensure that appropriate statements regarding the matter are meted out.