- The Japanese government has dismissed claims that its new “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative offers Nigerians or other Africans special visas or immigration benefits.
- Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the program, launched during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, only aims to promote cultural and developmental exchanges between select Japanese cities and African countries, not immigration
The Japanese government has debunked reports claiming that its newly launched “JICA Africa Hometown” programme includes the issuance of special visas or immigration privileges to Nigerians or other Africans.
In a statement released on Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described such reports as “contrary to the facts,” stressing that the initiative does not involve immigration-related measures.
The programme, introduced during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), was designed to foster collaboration between African countries and Japanese local governments.
According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Africa Hometown project designates four Japanese cities as “hometowns” for four African nations, with plans to promote cultural exchanges and partnerships. Activities will include exchange events featuring JICA overseas cooperation volunteers, among others.
However, the ministry clarified that the project has no provisions for special visas or immigrant resettlement.
“There are no plans to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries, and the series of reports and announcements concerning such measures are not true. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will continue to ensure appropriate reporting and statements regarding this matter,” the statement read.
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