Japan dismisses reports of special visa scheme for Nigerians

The Government of Japan has refuted claims that it is introducing a special visa programme for Nigerians intending to move to Kisarazu, the Japanese city recently twinned with Nigeria under a new cultural exchange initiative.

At the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held in Yokohama last week, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) unveiled the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative aimed at deepening cooperation between African nations and selected Japanese municipalities.

Under the arrangement, four Japanese cities were paired with four African countries: Kisarazu with Nigeria, Nagai with Tanzania, Sanjo with Ghana, and Imabari with Mozambique.

Authorities clarified that the partnership is primarily for cultural, educational, and developmental exchange, not immigration privileges.