By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
KISARAZU IN Japan has been named as the official hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country.
This is in a move designed to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth, and boost workforce productivity.
The announcement came on Thursday on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development, where the Japanese government confirmed that a special visa category would be created for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu.
The arrangement also extends to artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are prepared to upskill under the scheme.
At the ceremony, the Japan International Cooperation Agency equally designated 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 agency stated that the designations are meant to reinforce municipal-level connections with African countries where ties already exist, while also laying a foundation for two-way manpower exchanges that will contribute to the economic growth of both Japan and the African nations involved.
Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and the Mayor of Kisarazu, Yoshikuni Watanabe, jointly received the certificate from the Japanese government formally designating the city as the hometown of Nigerians.
Local authorities in Kisarazu expressed optimism that the partnership would help grow the population of the city and support regional revitalisation efforts.
Kisarazu has prior ties with Nigeria, having hosted the Nigerian contingent during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The athletes held their pre-games training and acclimatisation camps in the city before moving into the Olympic village during the COVID-19-delayed Games.
At the TICAD9 opening, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced $5.5 billion in new investment for Africa, outlining Japan’s priorities for private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.
He underscored the importance of collaborative approaches and localised solutions for Africa’s development, while acknowledging Japan’s own demographic challenges.
“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa.
“So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD9 focuses on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth,
“Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa,” Ishiba said.
He urged African nations to support Japan as it navigates the challenges of a declining population and shrinking agricultural land, noting that shared solutions could deliver mutual benefits.
