Japan Designates City As Hometown For Nigerians Under New Visa Regime

The Japanese Government, on Thursday, named the city of Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country as part of its strategic efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth, and enhance workforce productivity.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Director of Information at the Nigerian Presidency in the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, noting that under the new partnership, announced on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), Japan will 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.

“Japan International Cooperation Agency, in a ceremony, also named the cities of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture the hometown of Mozambique.

“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 stated.

On her part, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires, Mrs. Florence Adeseke, who is also the Acting Ambassador to Japan, and Yoshikuni Watanabe, the Mayor of Kisarazu, received the certificate from the Japanese government naming Kisarazu 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,” it added.

In his opening speech at TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed a new investment of $5.5 billion in Africa and highlighted the significance of mutual understanding, local solutions, and cooperation for the continent’s development. He detailed Japan’s commitment to fostering private sector-driven sustainable growth, empowering youth and women, and promoting regional integration.

Prime Minister Ishiba recognised the challenges posed by Japan’s ageing population but stressed that locally driven solutions are crucial for advancing Africa’s development.

“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,” the PM stated.