The Japanese government has firmly denied claims that it plans to create a special visa category for skilled Nigerians or increase immigration from Africa, following a wave of misinformation surrounding its new “Africa Hometown” initiative.
The controversy erupted after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) last week designated four Japanese cities to strengthen ties with African countries: Imabari with Mozambique, Kisarazu with Nigeria, Sanjo with Ghana, and Nagai with Tanzania.
The program was unveiled during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama.
Soon after the announcement, some media outlets and online commentators alleged that the initiative was designed to boost African migration to Japan, with reports claiming Kisarazu would issue special visas for skilled Nigerians.
This followed a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, announcing that the Japanese government would introduce “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.”
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan said Monday that Tokyo has “no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries.”
Meanwhile, the ministry said in a statement, stressing that the government-linked aid agency, known as JICA, only plans to promote exchanges through various activities.
The statement said, “Regarding the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ announced by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at the TICAD 9, there have been reports and statements both domestically and internationally that contain information contrary to the facts.
“The facts regarding this matter are as follows: At the TICAD 9, JICA announced the launch of the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’, which aims to strengthen exchanges between African countries and Japanese local governments based on the experience gained through its previous projects. Under this program, four cities in Japan are designated as “home towns” for four African countries.
“Under this program, JICA plans to promote exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries through various activities, including the organization 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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will continue to make efforts to ensure that appropriate reporting and statements regarding this matter are carried out,” it added.
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