Japan Names Kisarazu as Official Hometown for Nigerians Under New Visa Program

Japan Designates Hometowns for Nigerians, Ghanaians, Tanzanians, and Mozambicans Under New Visa Plan

Japan has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country, under a new visa initiative aimed at strengthening cultural ties, boosting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.

The announcement was made on Thursday during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) and confirmed in a statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the Nigerian Presidency, on Friday.

Under the agreement, Japan will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians interested in relocating to Kisarazu. Additionally, artisans and blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will benefit from this program.

As part of a broader exchange initiative, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also designated:

• 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

The arrangement aims to strengthen bilateral relations by fostering two-way exchanges for manpower development, ultimately driving economic growth in Japan and partner nations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Adeseke, alongside Yoshikuni Watanabe, Mayor of Kisarazu, received the official certificate from the Japanese government.

Local authorities in Japan hope the initiative will boost city populations and support regional revitalization. Notably, Kisarazu hosted Nigeria’s contingent during the COVID-19 delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, serving as the team’s pre-Games training base.

In his address at TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced $5.5 billion in new investments for Africa, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to private sector-led growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration. Ishiba emphasized that Japan, facing an aging population, seeks co-created solutions with Africa to drive sustainable development.