Japan has named Kisarazu City as the official hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country, as part of a new strategy to deepen cultural diplomacy and strengthen economic ties.
The initiative, unveiled at the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), will see the creation of a special visa category for highly skilled Nigerians, as well as artisans and blue-collar workers willing to upskill. In the same ceremony, Japan designated Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture as the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture for Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture for Mozambique. Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside Kisarazu’s Mayor, Yoshikuni Watanabe, received the certificate officially linking the city with Nigeria. Authorities say the partnership will boost manpower development and foster two-way exchanges that benefit both economies.
Kisarazu, which hosted Nigeria’s Olympic team during the Tokyo 2020 Games, is expected to benefit from population growth and regional revitalisation through the arrangement.During TICAD9, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced \$5.5 billion in new investment for Africa, highlighting sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration as priorities. He also appealed for cooperation from African nations as Japan grapples with an ageing population and shrinking agricultural land.
Source: https://statehouse.gov.ng/
