The Government of Japan has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country, in a move aimed at strengthening cultural diplomacy, boosting economic ties, and enhancing workforce development between both nations.
The announcement was made on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and confirmed in a statement by the Director of Information at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, which was shared on Friday, August 22, 2025, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to Oladunjoye, the initiative unveiled on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) includes the creation of a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu. Artisans and blue-collar workers willing to upskill will also benefit from the arrangement.
At the same event, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced similar partnerships with other African nations: Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture as the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture as the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture as the hometown of Mozambique.
The symbolic certificates were presented to representatives of the four countries, with Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and the Mayor of Kisarazu, Yoshikuni Watanabe, receiving Nigeria’s designation.
Oladunjoye explained that the initiative is expected to foster manpower development, deepen cultural exchange, and contribute to the economic growth of both Japan and the African countries involved. Local Japanese authorities also hope the program will help boost their city populations and support regional revitalisation efforts.
Kisarazu already shares historic ties with Nigeria, having served as the host city for the Nigerian contingent during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where the athletes held pre-games training and acclimatisation camps before the competition.
Meanwhile, in his opening address at TICAD 9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a $5.5 billion investment package in Africa, underscoring Japan’s commitment to private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.
“Japan needs to know more about Africa. In creating solutions together, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led growth, youth and women, and regional connectivity,” Ishiba stated, urging African countries to also support Japan as it confronts the challenges of an ageing population and shrinking farmland.
