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Japan Creates Special Village For Nigerians, Offer Special Visa Plan.
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Special visa to support skilled Nigerians and artisans to live and work.
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Move strengthens Africa-Japan ties, boosts manpower and regional revitalisation.
The government of 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 deepening cultural diplomacy, boosting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the announcement was made on Thursday on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). As part of the new initiative, Japan will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu. Artisans and other blue-collar workers who are ready to upskill will also benefit from this special dispensation visa.
Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside the Mayor of Kisarazu, Yoshikuni Watanabe, received the official certificate designating Kisarazu as the hometown of Nigerians.
In a similar arrangement, the Japan International Cooperation Agency named Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture as the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture as the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture as the hometown of Mozambique. These designations are expected to strengthen exchanges and build municipal-level partnerships with the four African nations.
According to a statement by the Director of Information, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, the initiative is designed to foster two-way exchanges for manpower development and contribute to economic growth in Japan and the partner countries. Local authorities also hope the designations will help attract new residents, aiding regional revitalisation efforts.
Kisarazu previously hosted Nigeria’s contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the team held pre-games training camps and acclimatisation before moving to the Olympic village.
Speaking at TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced $5.5 billion in new investments in Africa. He stressed the importance of mutual understanding, private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration as key drivers for Africa’s development.
Prime Minister Ishiba also acknowledged Japan’s demographic challenges, including an ageing population and shrinking agricultural land, while urging Africa to collaborate in finding locally rooted solutions.
“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at TICAD9 focuses on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women, and regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa,” he said.
