Japan Cancels ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ Initiative After Confusion Over Nigerian Visa Reports

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The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has cancelled its “Africa Hometown” initiative, citing “misunderstandings and confusion” over the programme, which was mistakenly linked to new immigration pathways for Nigerians.

The decision, announced in a statement on Thursday, follows weeks of controversy after reports suggested Japan would introduce a special visa category for Nigerians wishing to relocate to Kisarazu, one of four Japanese municipalities involved in the scheme.

In August, the Nigerian State House had issued a statement—later denied by Tokyo—claiming Japan would create a visa programme for highly skilled young Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu. The announcement fuelled widespread speculation that the initiative was tied to migration.

Misunderstandings Over “Hometown”

JICA explained that the use of the term “hometown” and the idea of “designating” Japanese municipalities led to “misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities.”

“Originally, the initiative was envisioned as an exchange programme among Japanese local governments, relevant African countries, and JICA,” the agency said. “However, the very nature of the term ‘hometown’ caused misunderstandings. JICA sincerely apologises to the municipalities involved.”

The scheme had been unveiled at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in August. It aimed to strengthen cultural and educational ties between four Japanese municipalities and four African countries, including Nigeria.

No Immigration Component

JICA stressed that it has never promoted immigration and has “no plans to do so in the future.” Instead, the organisation said it will continue supporting cultural, educational, and developmental exchanges between Japan and African nations.

The confusion deepened after Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Japan, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu’s Mayor, Yoshikuni Watanabe, were photographed receiving a certificate naming the city the “hometown” of Nigerians. The symbolic gesture was widely misinterpreted as a migration deal.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly clarified that the project did not include visas or immigration benefits, emphasising its role as a cultural exchange initiative only.

Moving Forward

While the Africa Hometown programme has now been scrapped, JICA reiterated its commitment to partnerships across the continent through non-immigration programmes, including education, health, and technology cooperation.