Japan Cancels ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ Initiative Amid Visa Confusion and Misinterpretation
- Japan’s international aid agency JICA has cancelled its Africa Hometown initiative following widespread confusion over its intent
- The programme sparked controversy after reports falsely claimed it included a special visa for Nigerians relocating to Kisarazu
- Japanese authorities have since clarified that the initiative was never linked to immigration or residency schemes
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has officially withdrawn its ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative, citing “misunderstandings and confusion” surrounding the programme’s intent and scope.
In a statement published on its website on Thursday, JICA confirmed the cancellation of the initiative, which had been launched in August during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
Source: Getty Images
The programme was designed to foster cultural and educational exchanges between four Japanese municipalities and four African countries.
However, the agency said that the terminology used, particularly the designation of Japanese cities as “hometowns” for African nationals, had led to significant misinterpretations within Japan.
JICA stated, “JICA believes that the very nature of this initiative, namely, the term ‘hometown’ and the fact that JICA would ‘designate’ Japanese local Governments as ‘hometowns’, led to misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities.”
The agency added that the original concept involved coordinating exchange programmes among Japanese local governments, relevant African countries, and JICA, with specific details to be determined later.
Nonetheless, the backlash prompted a reassessment. “JICA takes this situation seriously. After consulting with all parties involved, JICA has decided to withdraw the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative,” the statement read.
Visa speculation sparks diplomatic clarification
The controversy intensified in late August when reports emerged suggesting that Japan would introduce a “special visa category” for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians to relocate to Kisarazu—a city reportedly designated as a “hometown” under the initiative.
The claim originated from a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at Nigeria’s State House, which relayed that Japan had created a pathway for Nigerian migration to Kisarazu. This announcement triggered widespread speculation about new immigration opportunities.
However, the Japanese government swiftly denied the existence of any such visa plan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan clarified that the JICA Africa Hometown initiative was solely focused on cultural and developmental exchanges and did not include immigration benefits or special visa provisions.
JICA reinforced this position, stating that it had “never undertaken initiatives to promote immigration and has no plans to do so in the future,” while reaffirming its commitment to supporting other forms of international exchange.
Public ceremony fuels migration rumours
The confusion was further compounded when Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Japan, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu’s Mayor, Yoshikuni Watanabe, publicly received a certificate naming the city the “hometown” of Nigerians.
The symbolic gesture was interpreted by some as a formal endorsement of migration, despite lacking any legal or policy framework.
JICA has since issued an apology to the municipalities involved, acknowledging the unintended consequences of the initiative’s rollout. “JICA sincerely apologizes to the municipalities involved for causing such situation,” the agency said.
Source: Getty Images
Japan addresses plans to ceate special visas for Nigerians
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Japanese government has denied reports that it is creating a special visa category for skilled Nigerians who wish to relocate to Kisarazu, a city recently designated as Nigeria’s “hometown” under the JICA Africa Hometown initiative.
The rebuttal followed widespread reports citing a statement from the Nigerian State House, which claimed that Japan would open a special dispensation visa for Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu.
At the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) held last week in Yokohama, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) unveiled the JICA Africa Hometown programme to deepen exchanges between African countries and Japanese local governments.
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Source: Legit.ng
