By Abdulkadir Ahmad (U19MM1083)
Something huge is happening in Africa-Asia relations. Japan made an announcement last week during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama. Through Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) declared four Japanese cities, which include Kisarazu, Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari, to serve as "hometowns" for four African countries: Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique. This has sparked excitement, confusion, and plenty of discussion on both sides of the globe. As someone following this story, I want to break it down for you, so you could understand what JICA and TICAD are, what this means for Nigeria and the other three African countries, what local newspapers and the Nigerian government are claiming about the development like special visas and immigration (which JICA later denied) what everyone stands to gain, and what’s being left unsaid along with the critics’ views. Let’s dive in!
JICA
and TICAD: The Driving Forces Behind This Move
Let’s
first get to know the key players. JICA, the Japan International Cooperation
Agency, is a government organization that focuses on international development.
They do this by providing technical assistance, project funding, and
partnerships with other countries, most especially for development purposes.
They do that through education and agriculture to uplift nations, with Africa as
their major focus.
TICAD
on the other hand, is a major summit by Japan that happens every three years
since 1993. Its just like a family gathering where Japanese and African leaders
sit down to discuss economic growth and support for African Development. This
year’s TICAD 9, held from August 20 to 22, with the theme "co-create
innovative solutions" for challenges facing Africa, Japan, and the world.
It was during this event that the hometown plan was unveiled as previously
announced by The Japan Times, and it’s now the talk of the town!
What This Allocation Means for Nigeria and the Other Three Countries
- The arrangement pairs, as JICA announced:
- Kisarazu
in Chiba Prefecture with Nigeria,
- Nagai
in Yamagata Prefecture with Tanzania,
- Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture with Ghana, and
- Imabari
in Ehime Prefecture with Mozambique.
So,
what does this hometown designation mean? It sure doesn’t mean people can just
pack up and move there (Japa), but a means to foster cultural exchange and
people-to-people connections. For Nigeria, this builds on the past Kisarazu’s
role as a host city for the Nigerian team’s pre-games during the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics, even with the COVID delay. With this, they plan to strengthen their ties
through cultural events, youth programs, and possibly skill sharing.
The same goes for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique
with Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari. Connecting them based on existing relationships,
promoting two-way exchanges. For Nigeria, especially, this is a chance to
showcase our potential, build global friendships, and open doors that could
benefit our people. It’s like us turning a new page with Japan!
Claims Made by Local Newspapers and the
Government, JICA’s Later Clarification
This is where it gets interesting! On August
22, the Federal Ministry of Information and
National Orientation (FMINO), via its official X handle,
announced that Japan would create a special visa category for “highly skilled,
innovative, and talented young Nigerians” to live and work in Kisarazu. This
claim was also reported by BBC Pidgin.
However, JICA and Japan’s Ministry
of Foreign Affairs swiftly denied the report, describing it as
a “factual inaccuracy.” Shortly after, the Ministry
quietly deleted the post. Premium
Times and The Tanzania also made similar reports that Japan is planning a
migration program to address its labour shortage.
JICA on their official
website went ahead to clarify that: “certain local newspapers and the African government
have published reports that may give the false impression that, under the “JICA
Africa Hometown” program, Nagai City in Yamagata Prefecture would become part
of the country of Tanzania, or reports suggesting the promotion of immigration
acceptance or the issuance of special visas for travel between Japan and the
respective countries, which are all factually incorrect.”
This has sparked debates on social media, with
people questioning who’s telling the truth!
Benefits for Nigeria, Other Countries, and What
Japan Gains
What’s in it for everyone? For Nigeria, this is an opportunity to deepen
cultural ties with Kisarazu. Our Charge d’Affaires, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi
Adeseke, and Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe have already received a
certificate to formalize the deal. It could also lead to skills sharing and
attract Japanese investment to boost our economy. It’s a similar gain for
Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique, through cultural exchanges with Nagai, Sanjo,
and Imabari that could benefit youth and local development.
For Japan, this move carries clear advantages. With an aging population
and a shrinking workforce, exchanges of this kind could inject fresh energy
into regional cities like Kisarazu, which has a population of just about
136,000 (BBC Pidgin). While it’s not an immigration policy, the cultural and
economic exchanges could help revitalize these depopulating areas. Beyond that,
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s pledge of $5.5 billion in new
investments for Africa at TICAD 9 shows the hometown initiative is part of
a broader strategy to deepen Japan–Africa ties.
What’s Not Being Discussed and What Critics Are Saying
However, some issues remain unaddressed. How will these exchanges be
sustained beyond the initial event? What happens if the designated cities lack
the resources or capacity to host? And perhaps most importantly, what do
ordinary Japanese residents and local leaders think? So far, there seems to be
little evidence of any public consultation before the announcement.
Critics are voicing their concerns on X. Some Japanese citizens expressed frustration,
with Kisarazu city and other local leaders denying visa plans. One user (@neon_sky_2023)
called it a "scheme of corrupt politicians," others raised security
concerns, and complained that they were not informed beforehand. Some pointed
to crime rates in Nigeria and other African countries as a potential threat to
Japan’s reputation for safety. While some Africans saw it as a segregation plan
by Japan for Africans living in Japan, even though Japan never stated that
Africans must live in the designated cities. Above all, the lack
of transparency, with no sign of prior consultation, has
emerged as the biggest sticking point for many locals.
Beyond the social media noise, there are also bigger questions people
have raised about TICAD over the years. For instance, groups like the South African Institute of
International Affairs (SAIIA) argue that Japan’s role in Africa is being
framed too much as a rivalry with China. The danger there is obvious; Africa’s own
priorities risk getting lost in the power games.
Think tanks like Brookings
and Chatham House have also flagged some deeper issues.
One big one is accountability: every TICAD comes with shiny pledges, but
who’s really checking whether they’re carried out on the ground? Then there’s
the private sector gap. Yes, TICAD loves to
talk about public-private partnerships, but Japanese companies are often seen
as too cautious compared to China’s aggressive playbook.
Another critique is about expectations. Each summit builds hype,
with pressure on Japan to promise bigger numbers than the last. When reality
doesn’t fully match those headlines, it feeds skepticism. And finally, some
scholars say TICAD has shifted away from its original “human security” idealism
toward harder economic interests. That creates this awkward gap between what’s
said on stage and what actually drives the agenda.
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This hometown allocation is a bold step that could bridge Africa and
Japan if handled well. For Nigeria, it’s not just an opportunity to shine, but
also a chance to expand our exports and showcase local products to new markets.
The real test, however, lies in what JICA and Japan truly mean with this visa
denial. For now, it stands as a cultural exchange, yet the noise from
newspapers and critics shows people are either hoping for more or fearing what
“more” might bring. As this story unfolds, one thing remains clear: collaboration
will determine its success.
What’s your take on this move? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Sources: Statehouse NG | JICA | BBC Pidgin | Premium Times | FMINONigeria X | The Japan Times| Brookings | Chatham House | SAIIA