The Government of Japan has officially designated the city of Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians who wish to live and work in the country, in a new initiative aimed at strengthening cultural diplomacy, driving economic growth, and boosting workforce productivity.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). Under the partnership, Japan will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians interested in relocating to Kisarazu. Artisans and other blue-collar workers seeking to upskill will also benefit from the programme.
In addition to Nigeria, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also 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 initiative is designed to deepen ties by officially linking Japanese municipalities with African nations with which they already share historical and cultural relations.
Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside Yoshikuni Watanabe, Mayor of Kisarazu, received the official certificate confirming the designation. Local Japanese authorities expressed optimism that the move would boost population growth in their municipalities while advancing regional revitalisation.
Kisarazu has a history of relations with Nigeria, having served as the host town for the Nigerian contingent during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the athletes held pre-games training camps and acclimatisation sessions before the COVID-19 delayed competition.

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At TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced $5.5 billion in new investments for Africa, stressing the importance of private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration. He acknowledged Japan’s domestic challenge of an ageing population but emphasised that collaborative, locally rooted solutions remain key for Africa’s development.
“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 TICAD9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women, and regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa,” Ishiba said.
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He also appealed to African nations to support Japan as it works to address the realities of its declining population and shrinking agricultural land.
The initiative marks a milestone in Nigeria–Japan relations, opening new opportunities for manpower development, economic exchange, and cultural diplomacy between the two countries.