Japan Designates Kisarazu as Official Hometown for Nigerians in New Bilateral Initiative
The Japanese government has officially designated Kisarazu, a city in Chiba Prefecture, as the “hometown” for Nigerians looking to live and work in Japan. The announcement was made during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), underscoring Japan’s growing commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and expanding economic collaboration with African nations.
Receiving the certificate on Nigeria’s behalf was Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, the country’s chargé d’affaires and acting ambassador to Japan, in a symbolic ceremony that marked a new chapter in Japan-Nigeria relations.
As part of the initiative, Japan will roll out a special visa category aimed at attracting highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians to Kisarazu. The program will also accommodate artisans and blue-collar professionals seeking to upgrade their skills, reflecting Japan’s dual goals of revitalizing regional economies and addressing its labor shortage.
Officials say the partnership will enable two-way exchanges designed to stimulate local economies in both countries, facilitate workforce development, and foster greater cross-cultural understanding.
Kisarazu is no stranger to Nigerian presence. The city served as the pre-Games training base for Nigeria’s Olympic contingent during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, setting the stage for this deeper connection.
Japan’s outreach didn’t stop with Nigeria. In the same ceremony, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) designated other hometown partnerships with African nations: Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture for Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata for Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime for Mozambique. These designations aim to bolster manpower development and bilateral cooperation.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba used the TICAD9 platform to announce a $5.5 billion investment package for Africa, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding, local solutions, and collaborative development. He stressed Japan’s focus on private sector-led growth, empowerment of youth and women, and regional integration.
Ishiba also acknowledged Japan’s pressing demographic issues, including a declining population and shrinking agricultural workforce, and expressed hope that strengthened ties with African nations would offer sustainable, people-centered solutions.
