Japan Names Kisarazu as Official Hometown for Nigerians

T The government of Japan has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official hometown for Nigerians living and working in the country, in a move aimed at deepening cultural diplomacy, boosting workforce productivity, and strengthening bilateral relations.

The announcement was made on Thursday on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), where Japan also unveiled a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented Nigerians willing to relocate to Kisarazu. Nigerian artisans and blue-collar workers seeking opportunities to upskill will also benefit from this new arrangement.

In a similar initiative, the Japan International Cooperation Agency named 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.

Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe, formally received the certificate from the Japanese government confirming the city’s designation.

The initiative is expected to foster two-way exchanges, strengthen manpower development, and contribute to the economic growth of Japan and partner African nations. Local authorities also expressed optimism that the program will help revitalize regional populations, with Kisarazu leveraging its previous role as host city to Nigeria’s Olympic team during the Tokyo 2020 Games.

In his opening address at TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced $5.5 billion in new investments for Africa while highlighting the importance of private sector-led growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.

Acknowledging Japan’s ageing population and shrinking agricultural land, Ishiba called for deeper collaboration with Africa, stressing the need for “co-created solutions” rooted in mutual understanding.

“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa,” he said. “So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at TICAD9 focuses on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa.”