President Bola Tinubu’s diplomatic engagements at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) yielded a positive outcome, with the Japanese government designating Kisarazu City as the official hometown for Nigerians living and working in the country.
The development was disclosed in a State House Press Release signed by the Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, on Friday, explaining that the move is part of Japan’s plan to strengthen cultural ties, drive economic growth, and expand opportunities for skilled Nigerians.
Under the new arrangement, Japan plans to create a special visa category for young professionals and artisans from Nigeria willing to relocate to Kisarazu, and also accommodate workers who are willing to upgrade their skills.
According to the State House release, Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and the Mayor of Kisarazu, Yoshikuni Watanabe, received the certificate officially naming the city the Nigerians’ hometown.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) extended similar designations to three other African nations: Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture for Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture for Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture for Mozambique.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his address at TICAD9, while pledging $5.5 billion investments for Africa, called for collaboration in tackling development challenges. He mentioned private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration as Japan’s priority areas.
He further appealed to African nations to support Japan in overcoming demographic pressures, including an ageing population and shrinking farmland.
