*The Japanese Government names Kisarazu as the 鈥榟ometown for Nigerians鈥� willing to live and work, a move regarded as part of the foreign country鈥檚 strategic efforts at deepening its cultural diplomacy, promoting economic growth while enhancing workforce productivity

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Japanese Government Thursday, August 21, 2025, named the city of Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country.

This is considered a part of Japan鈥檚 strategic efforts at deepening cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth and enhance workforce productivity.

The Nigerian Government disclosed under this new-fangled partnership announced on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development, Japan would create a 鈥渟pecial visa category鈥� for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who desire to move relocate to Kisarazu to live and work.

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Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information in the State House, Abuja, FCT, who disclosed this development in a statement, explained both artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria, who are ready to upskill would also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan.

Japan names cities for Ghana, Mozambique

Oladunjoye stated that Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in a ceremony, 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 respectively.

Through the arrangement, Japan looks to strengthen exchanges with the four African countries by officially connecting municipalities with existing relations with those nations, the statement also noted.

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The government said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires, who doubles as the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, and Yoshikuni Watanabe, the Mayor of Kisarazu, received the certificate from the Japanese Government, naming Kisarazu as the hometown of Nigerians living in the country.

It is further said that the four cities would foster a foundation for two-way exchanges for manpower development that would add value to the economic growth of Japan, Nigeria, and the other three African countries.

Local authorities hope that the designations will increase the population of their cities, contributing to their regional revitalisation efforts.

Kisarazu was the official host town of the Nigerian contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The team conducted their pre-games training camps and acclimatisation in the city before moving to the Olympic Village, in the COVID-19 delayed Olympic Games.

PM Ishiba: Japan鈥檚 committed to cooperation, support for Africa

Earlier, in his opening address at the TICAD9, where he announced $5.5 billion in New investment in Africa, Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Shigeru Ishiba had emphasised the importance of mutual understanding, local solutions, and collaborative efforts for Africa’s development.

Ishiba outlined Japan’s focus on private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the challenges of Japan’s aging population but stressed that locally rooted solutions are essential for Africa’s development.

He further stated: “Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa.

鈥淪o, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa.鈥�

The Japanese leader, therefore, urged African countries to assist Japan as it grapples with the challenges of a declining population, and shrinking agricultural land.