Japan’s aid agency JICA has scrapped its “Africa Hometown” programme after reports of a special visa for Nigerians caused widespread confusion and backlash.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has cancelled its “Africa Hometown” initiative, citing “misunderstandings and confusion” over alleged immigration benefits. In a Thursday statement, JICA said the use of the term “hometown” and the idea of “designating” Japanese municipalities created “an excessive burden on the four municipalities” involved.
Launched in August during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development, the programme aimed to foster cultural and educational exchanges between four Japanese cities and four African countries.
Confusion erupted when Nigeria’s State House announced Japan would create a “special visa category” for skilled Nigerians wishing to relocate to Kisarazu, said to be the designated “hometown” for Nigerians. Tokyo quickly denied the claim.
“JICA takes this situation seriously… After consulting with all parties involved, JICA has decided to withdraw the ‘JICA Africa Hometown’ initiative,” the agency said. It stressed it has “never undertaken initiatives to promote immigration and has no plans to do so,” pledging continued support for other exchange programmes.