Japan scraps Africa ‘hometown’ project amid confusion over Nigeria relocation plan

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has officially scrapped its ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative, citing widespread “misunderstandings and confusion” surrounding the project.

JICA President Tanaka Akihiko made the announcement during a press briefing on Thursday, stressing that the program’s objectives were misinterpreted both in Japan and abroad.

The controversy began on August 26, when Japan dismissed reports claiming it planned to create a special visa category for Nigerians relocating to Kisarazu, a city that had initially been introduced as a symbolic “hometown” for Nigeria under the initiative.

The rebuttal followed a statement signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, director of information at the State House in Nigeria, who relayed that 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”.

In its recent statement, JICA said “the very nature of this initiative — namely, the term ‘hometown’ and the fact that JICA would ‘designate’ Japanese local Governments as ‘hometowns’— led to misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities. JICA sincerely apologizes to the municipalities involved for causing such situation”.

Kisarazu was named as Nigeria’s hometown; Nagai as the hometown of Tanzania; Sanjo was matched to Ghana; with Imabari paired with Mozambique.

The agreement was announced on August 22 on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9).

Misinformation on the project also spread in Tanzania, with local media reporting that Nagai city would become part of the East African country.

The Japanese foreign ministry had swiftly denied the reports.

However, the efforts did little to stem growing discontent in Japanese cities.

Citizens made viral social media posts voicing concerns over public safety, the burden on resources, and the fear of immigrants overstaying their visas.

Protests were later organised for the agreement to be cancelled.

In its statement, JICA said “it takes this situation seriously. After consulting with all parties involved, JICA has decided to withdraw the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative’”.

The agency clarified that “it has never undertaken initiatives to promote immigration and has no plans to do so in the future”.

JICA added that despite the withdrawal of the initiative, it intends to continue supporting efforts to promote international exchanges.