The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has officially terminated its “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative, citing widespread "misunderstandings and confusion" that arose in both Japan and Africa.
JICA President Tanaka Akihiko confirmed the decision at a press briefing on Thursday, September 25, and offered an apology to the four Japanese municipalities involved for the controversy the project generated.
The initiative, initially announced on August 22 during the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), had designated four Japanese cities as "hometowns" for specific African nations: Kisarazu for Nigeria, Nagai for Tanzania, Sanjo for Ghana, and Imabari for Mozambique.
The Special Visa Controversy
Just days after the initial announcement, a significant point of contention emerged. On August 26, Japan was forced to deny claims that it would create a special visa category for highly skilled Nigerians wishing to relocate to Kisarazu. This denial came after Abiodun Oladunjoye, Nigeria’s State House director of information, publicly stated that such a visa arrangement had been pledged by the Japanese government.
In its latest statement, JICA acknowledged that the core concept of the program itself had fueled the 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 explained.
Similar misunderstandings also arose in Africa, particularly in Tanzania, where local media incorrectly reported that the city of Nagai would become a part of the East African country.
Public Opposition and Termination
The controversy was not limited to official statements. In Japan, citizens took to social media to voice concerns about public safety, the strain on resources, and the risk of visa overstays. These sentiments later led to organized protests calling for the program to be scrapped entirely.
Taking the situation "seriously," JICA announced its decision to completely withdraw the "Africa Hometown" initiative after extensive consultations with all stakeholders. The agency was clear that it has never promoted immigration policies and has no intention of doing so in the future.
Despite the program's termination, JICA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering international exchanges and partnerships, emphasizing that future initiatives will be designed to avoid any misinterpretation as immigration schemes.
