BREAKING: Japan Denies Plans Of Creating Special Visa Category For Nigerians
Japan has denied plans to create a special visa category for Nigerians who wish to relocate to Kisarazu, a city it recently designated as the hometown of Nigeria.
The Genius Media Nigeria recalls that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the launch of the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ during the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, aiming to strengthen exchanges between African countries and Japanese local governments.
JICA designated four cities in four African countries.

A statement dated August 22 and signed by the Director of Information at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, stated that the Japanese government would create special visas for skilled Nigerians and the development was widely reported both locally and internationally.
Part of the statement reads, “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.”
However, in a statement on Monday, the Japanese foreign ministry denied such plans.
It confirmed that the “JICA Africa Hometown” programme plans to promote exchanges between the four Japanese cities and the four African countries through various activities, including the organisation of exchange events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers.
The Japanese foreign ministry said it would continue to ensure that appropriate statements regarding the matter are made.
The statement added, “On the other hand, there are no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries, and the series of reports and announcements concerning such measures are not true.”
