NIGERIA: Japan Names Kisarazu As Official Hometown For Nigerians

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The government of Japan has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country.

The announcement was made on Thursday on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD 9).

The development was announced in a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information, State House, on Friday.

Under the new partnership, Japan will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians, as well as artisans and blue-collar workers willing to upskill.

Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, joined Kisarazu Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe in receiving the certificate naming the city as Nigeria’s hometown.

Japan International Cooperation Agency also designated Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture as Tanzania’s hometown, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture as Ghana’s, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture as Mozambique’s.

The initiative is expected to foster manpower exchanges, support regional revitalisation in Japan, and boost economic growth in the partner African nations.

Kisarazu had previously hosted Nigeria’s contingent during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the team held pre-games training camps and acclimatisation before the competition.