Raphael Johnson
The government of Japan has formally designated Kisarazu, a city in Chiba Prefecture, as the official hometown for Nigerians seeking to live and work in the country. The initiative, announced on Thursday, is part of Tokyo’s broader strategy to strengthen cultural diplomacy, boost economic ties, and enhance workforce productivity.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued Friday by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye. According to the statement, the new arrangement was unveiled on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
Under the partnership, Japan will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu for work opportunities. The programme will also extend to artisans and blue-collar workers who are willing to upskill, giving them access to the same special visa arrangement.
In a related development, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced similar hometown partnerships with three other African nations: Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture was designated for Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture for Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture for Mozambique.
“These designations will deepen exchanges between Japan and the four African countries by officially linking local municipalities with nations they already share ties with,” the statement noted.
At a short ceremony, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside Yoshikuni Watanabe, the Mayor of Kisarazu, received a certificate marking the city’s official status as hometown of Nigerians in Japan.
Officials explained that the initiative would establish a foundation for manpower development, two-way exchange, and sustainable economic collaboration between Japan and its African partners. Local authorities in Kisarazu also expressed optimism that the designation would help increase the city’s population and contribute to ongoing regional revitalisation efforts.
The choice of Kisarazu is symbolic. The city served as the official host town for Team Nigeria during the COVID-19-delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Nigerian athletes held their pre-games training camps there before moving into the Olympic village.
Speaking at TICAD 9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba underscored the importance of local partnerships, co-creation, and private sector-led solutions in Africa’s development. He also announced a $5.5 billion new investment package for Africa, focusing on sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.
“Japan is providing various forms of cooperation and support for Africa,” Ishiba said. “But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. In co-creating solutions, our approach at TICAD 9 emphasises three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration and connectivity both within and beyond Africa.”
While highlighting Japan’s challenge of an ageing population and shrinking agricultural land, the Prime Minister appealed for collaboration with African nations to explore mutual solutions.