Japan Debunks Presidency’s Claim Of Special Visa, Residency For Nigerians

Japan has dismissed claims by the Federal government that it created a special visa category and residency opportunities for Nigerians under a new partnership.

In a statement released on Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said reports and official announcements suggesting that Nigerians would be granted immigration privileges under the “JICA Africa Hometown” project were “not true and contrary to the facts”.

The clarification followed a State House press release last Thursday, which announced that the Japanese government had designated Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture as a hometown for Nigerians and would introduce a special visa scheme for skilled workers and artisans.

The statement, signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, the State House Director of Information, claimed that the arrangement would allow Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu as part of efforts to boost cultural diplomacy, economic growth, and workforce productivity.

“The government of Japan 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.

“Under this new partnership, announced on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development, the Japanese government will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work,” Oladunjoye had said.

However, Japan clarified that the initiative unveiled at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) was limited to partnerships on exchange programmes.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had announced that four Japanese cities would serve as symbolic “hometowns” for four African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Mozambique.

“The programme aims to strengthen exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries through activities such as cultural events and volunteer programmes,” the ministry explained.

“On the other hand, there are no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries,” they added.

Japan insisted that the “hometown” designations are symbolic, intended to encourage mutual understanding and cooperation, not to create immigration pathways.