‘Contrary to facts’: Japan denies unveiling special visa for Nigerians

Japan has debunked plans to create a special visa category for Nigerians willing to move to Kisarazu, a city recently designated as a hometown for Nigerians.

The Director of Information, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, in a statement issued last Friday, said the government of Japan named Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country.

Oladunjoye added that under the new partnership announced on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development on Thursday, August 21, 2025, the Japanese government will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.

Oladunjoye noted that 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.

He stated that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also named the cities of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture the hometown of Mozambique.

He said the move was part of Japan’s strategic efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth and enhance workforce productivity.

Japan unveils special visa, names city as hometown for Nigerians

Reacting via a statement issued on Monday, August 25, the Japanese foreign ministry denied unveiling the special visa for Nigerians.

The ministry, while confirming the “JICA Africa Hometown”, said the aim was to strengthen exchanges between African countries and Japanese local governments based on the experience gained through previous projects.

It stated: “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.”

The Star