The Federal Government of Nigeria has retracted its earlier announcement that Japan would introduce a special visa category for highly skilled and innovative Nigerians seeking to live and work in Kisarazu.
Clarification from the Presidency
In a statement released on Wednesday by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, the government explained that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) only designated Kisarazu as the “Hometown of Nigeria” under its cultural exchange programme. No special visa arrangement was mentioned in JICA’s declaration.
JICA’s Africa Hometown Initiative
The clarification noted:
“The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Thursday, August 21, named the city of Kisarazu as the Hometown for Nigeria under its newly announced initiative, JICA Africa Hometown, as part of its efforts to deepen cultural ties between the two countries.”
During the ceremony at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), JICA also announced similar partnerships:
- Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture as the Hometown of Tanzania
- Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture as the Hometown of Ghana
- Imabari in Ehime Prefecture as the Hometown of Mozambique
Nigeria’s Representation in Japan
Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, alongside Watanabe Yoshikuni, Mayor of Kisarazu, received the certificate from JICA.
Kisarazu has a long-standing connection with Nigeria, having hosted the country’s contingent for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where athletes held training camps before moving to the Olympic village.
Initial Statement and Japan’s Response
The government had earlier claimed that Japan would create a visa pathway for Nigerians willing to live and work in Kisarazu, presenting it as part of a broader partnership.
However, the Japanese government denied any such plan on Tuesday, making it clear that the “Africa Hometown” initiative does not include visa privileges. Tokyo formally requested Nigeria to withdraw its earlier statement.
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