Japan names Kisarazu city ‘hometown for Nigerians’
Abdullateef Fowewe
Japan has officially designated Kisarazu as the “hometown for Nigerians” interested in living and working in the country, as a part of its efforts to strengthen cultural diplomacy, encourage economic growth, and improve workforce productivity.
A statement from the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, announced this decision on Thursday during the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9).
The statement indicated that this initiative will feature a new visa category aimed at attracting highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who wish to relocate to Kisarazu. Additionally, artisans and blue-collar workers seeking to enhance their skills will also be included in this program.
The statement establishes, “The government of Japan on Thursday named the city of Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country as part of its strategic efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth and enhance workforce productivity.
“Under this new partnership, announced on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development, the Japanese government will create 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.
“Japan International Cooperation Agency, in a ceremony, also named the cities of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture the hometown of Mozambique.
“Through the arrangement, Japan looks to strengthen exchanges with the four African countries by officially connecting municipalities with existing relations with those nations.
“Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, also the Acting Ambassador to Japan, and Yoshikuni Watanabe, the Mayor of Kisarazu, received the certificate from the Japanese government naming Kisarazu the hometown of Nigerians.
“The four cities will foster a foundation for two-way exchanges for manpower development that will add value to the economic growth of Japan, Nigeria, and the other three African nations.
“Local authorities hope that the designations will increase the population of their cities, contributing to their regional revitalisation efforts.
“Kisarazu was the official host town of the Nigerian contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The team conducted their pre-games training camps and acclimatisation in the city before moving to the Olympic village, in the COVID-19 delayed Olympic Games.”
