By Erewunmi Peace

Japan has announced a landmark migration initiative that will strengthen cultural and economic ties with Nigeria. The Japanese government has officially designated Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture as the “hometown” for Nigerians under a newly launched special migration programme.

The announcement was made during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). The programme introduces a special visa category targeted at highly skilled Nigerian professionals, innovators, and artisans willing to upskill, allowing them to live and work in Japan.

Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, received the certificate of designation on behalf of Nigeria, alongside Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe, in a ceremony that formalized the partnership.

According to the Japanese government, this move aims to:

Address Japan’s aging population and labor shortages

Promote regional revitalization and cultural exchange

Strengthen Japan–Nigeria bilateral relations

The programme also aligns with Japan’s broader development agenda, which includes $5.5 billion in new investments in Africa, as announced by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at TICAD9.

Interestingly, Kisarazu previously hosted the Nigerian Olympic team during their pre-Games training camp for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making it a symbolic choice for the partnership.

Similar initiatives were extended to other African nations, including Tanzania (Nagai, Yamagata Prefecture), Ghana (Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture), and Mozambique (Imabari, Ehime Prefecture).

This strategic migration programme opens new opportunities for Nigerians seeking global exposure, skill development, and cross-cultural experiences in Japan.