JAPAN DENIES PLAN FOR ‘SPECIAL VISA’ SCHEME FOR SKILLED NIGERIANS IN KISARAZU
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Japan has dismissed reports suggesting it intends to introduce a special visa scheme for skilled Nigerians relocating to Kisarazu, the Japanese city designated as Nigeria’s “hometown” under a cultural exchange initiative.
Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, had earlier stated in an August 22 release that Japan would create “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.”
The statement further claimed, “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.”
But Japan’s foreign ministry, in a statement on Monday, refuted the claims, stressing there were no such arrangements.
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The ministry clarified that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Africa Hometown programme is intended to boost cultural and economic exchanges between four Japanese cities and four African countries through initiatives such as exchange activities with JICA overseas cooperation volunteers.
“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,” the ministry said.
It added that Japan would continue to provide “accurate and appropriate statements” on the subject to prevent misinformation.
The clarification came after the launch of the JICA Africa Hometown initiative at the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) held last week in Yokohama.
As part of the programme, four Japanese cities were paired with four African countries: Kisarazu with Nigeria, Nagai with Tanzania, Sanjo with Ghana, and Imabari with Mozambique.
While acknowledging the hometown arrangement, the Japanese government emphasized it does not involve immigration policies or the issuance of special visas.
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