Japan Denies Planning To Create Special Visas For Skilled Nigerians

Posted by African Examiner Featured, News Across Nigeria, World News Tuesday, August 26th, 2025

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Japan has refuted claims of planning to establish a special visa category for Nigerians who intend to relocate to Kisarazu, a city it recently designated as “hometown” for Nigeria.

In the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) last week in Yokohama, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) disclosed the launch of the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’, which is to promote exchanges between African countries and Japanese local governments.

JICA designated four cities in four African countries. Kisarazu was named as the hometown of Nigeria, Nagai the hometown of Tanzania; Sanjo was given to Ghana; and Imabari, the hometown of Mozambique.

Also, a statement that was signed by Abiodun Oldunonjoye, director of information at the State House, had stated that the Japanese government would establish “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work”.

“Artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan,” the statement dated August 22 added.

This development was widely reported both locally and internationally.

However, in a statement on Monday, the Japanese foreign ministry refuted such plans.

It confirmed that the “JICA Africa Hometown” programme intends to promote exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries with various activities, including the organisation of exchange events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers.

“On the other hand, there are no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries, and the series of reports and announcements concerning such measures are not true,” the statement added.