Japan has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country, in a move aimed at boosting cultural diplomacy and addressing workforce needs.
The announcement was made, Thursday, on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, made this known on Friday.
Oladunjoye disclosed that under the arrangement, Japan will introduce a special visa category for highly skilled and talented young Nigerians, as well as artisans and blue-collar workers who are ready to upskill.
According to the statement, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also named three other Japanese cities as hometowns for African nations: Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture for Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture for Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture for Mozambique.
Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe received the official certificate from the Japanese government confirming the designation.
Officials said the initiative will promote manpower development, strengthen bilateral exchanges, and support regional revitalisation efforts by increasing local populations.
Kisarazu previously hosted Nigeria’s contingent during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes held pre-games training camps in the city.
Speaking at TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced $5.5 billion in new investments for Africa and highlighted Japan’s focus on private sector-led growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.
He also appealed for African cooperation as Japan confronts the challenges of an ageing population and declining agricultural land.
