The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has cancelled its “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative following widespread “misunderstandings and confusion” both in Japan and in Africa.
JICA president Tanaka Akihiko confirmed the decision at a press briefing on Thursday, September 25, apologising to the four Japanese municipalities involved for the controversy the project had created.
The initiative was announced on August 22 on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9). Under the plan, Kisarazu was designated as Nigeria’s “hometown,” Nagai as the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo for Ghana, and Imabari for Mozambique.
Just days later, on August 26, Japan denied reports that it intended to create a special visa category for Nigerians wishing to relocate to Kisarazu. The denial came after Abiodun Oladunjoye, Nigeria’s State House director of information, said the Japanese government had pledged to create such a visa for “highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians.”
In its latest statement, JICA said the concept itself had fuelled confusion. “The very nature of this initiative, namely, the term ‘hometown’ and the fact that JICA would ‘designate’ Japanese local governments as ‘hometowns’, led to misunderstandings and confusion within Japan, placing an excessive burden on the four municipalities,” the agency said. “JICA sincerely apologises to the municipalities involved for causing such situation.”
Similar confusion spread in Tanzania, where local media incorrectly reported that Nagai city would become part of the East African country. The Japanese foreign ministry swiftly rejected those claims, but concerns continued to mount.
In Japan, citizens voiced unease on social media, citing fears about public safety, overstretched resources, and the risk of immigrants overstaying visas. Protests were later organised calling for the agreement to be scrapped.
JICA said it “takes this situation seriously” and, after consultations with stakeholders, resolved to withdraw the “Africa Hometown” initiative entirely. The agency stressed that it has never promoted immigration policies and has “no plans to do so in the future.”
Despite the termination of the project, JICA said it remains committed to promoting international exchanges and partnerships, but without initiatives that could be misinterpreted as immigration schemes.
