Japan has officially designated Kisarazu City as the hometown for Nigerians wishing to live and work in the country, in a move aimed at deepening cultural ties and meeting labor demands.
The announcement was made on Thursday during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), and later confirmed in a statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House.
As part of the initiative, Japan will introduce a special visa program for young, highly skilled Nigerians, as well as artisans and blue-collar workers willing to undergo training and upskilling.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also unveiled three other Japanese cities as designated hometowns for African nations: Nagai (Yamagata Prefecture) for Tanzania, Sanjo (Niigata Prefecture) for Ghana, and Imabari (Ehime Prefecture) for Mozambique.
Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe, received the official certificate confirming the city’s designation.
According to officials, the scheme is designed to boost manpower development, foster stronger bilateral exchanges, and revitalize local communities through population growth. Notably, Kisarazu had previously hosted Nigeria’s contingent during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where athletes trained before the Games.
At TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged $5.5 billion in fresh investments for Africa, emphasizing private-sector growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration. He also urged African cooperation as Japan grapples with challenges such as an ageing population and shrinking farmland.