Japan has named Kisarazu its official “hometown” for Nigerians, introducing special visas for skilled and upskilling workers as part of broader efforts to strengthen cultural, economic, and workforce ties.
Japan has officially designated the city of Kisarazu as the “hometown” for Nigerians seeking to live and work in the country. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) and marks a strategic effort in cultural diplomacy, economic growth, and workforce enhancement .
Under the arrangement, Japan will issue a special visa category targeting highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians, as well as artisans and blue-collar workers willing to upskill . These measures are intended to foster meaningful exchanges and contribute to manpower development benefitting both countries .
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also named other Japanese cities as “hometowns” for African countries: Nagai (Tanzania), Sanjo (Ghana), and Imabari (Mozambique) . Local authorities anticipate that these designations will boost population and support regional revitalisation efforts .
Kisarazu previously hosted Nigeria’s Olympic team for their pre-games training before the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics . At TICAD9, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also announced $5.5 billion in new investment for Africa, underscoring Japan’s commitment to sustainable, private sector-led development and mutually beneficial cooperation .