Japan Denies Special Visa Offer For Nigerians Under JICA Africa Hometown Initiative

The Japanese government has refuted claims that its new “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative includes special visas or immigration benefits for Nigerians or other Africans.

In a statement on Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed reports suggesting that Nigerians relocating to Kisarazu city would gain access to a new visa category, describing them as “contrary to the facts.”

The ministry explained that the programme, launched by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, is intended to foster exchanges between African countries and Japanese local governments.

“Four cities in Japan are designated as ‘home towns’ for four African countries to promote cultural and technical exchanges, including events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers. However, there are no plans to issue special visas or implement measures to encourage immigration. Reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate,” the statement said.

Last week, a statement from Nigeria’s State House claimed that Japan had named Kisarazu city the “hometown” for Nigerians and would introduce a special visa category for highly skilled youths and artisans willing to work and upskill in Japan.

Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Japan, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu’s Mayor, Yoshikuni Watanabe, had also received a certificate designating the city as the “hometown” of Nigerians.