Japan has strongly refuted claims that it plans to establish a special visa category for Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu, which it recently declared to be Nigeria’s “hometown.”
Last week in Yokohama, at the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the opening of the “JICA Africa Hometown” to improve communication between local governments in Japan and African nations.
Four cities were assigned by JICA to four African nations.
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Ghana was paired with Sanjo, Mozambique with Imabari, Tanzania with Nagai, and Nigeria with Kisarazu as their hometown.
A statement signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, director of information at the State House, had said the government would create “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work”.
“Artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan,” the statement dated August 22 added.
However, in a response statement on Monday, the foreign ministry denied such plans.
It confirmed that the “JICA Africa Hometown” programme plans to promote exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries through various activities, including the organisation of exchange events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers”.
“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, and the series of reports and announcements concerning such measures are not true,” the statement added.
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According to the Japanese foreign ministry, it would keep making sure the right words are made about the situation.
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