Japan announces strategic partnership to allow Nigerian citizens to live and work in this city in new immigration policy

Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu City in Chiba

By Emmanuel Akyereko
(Managing Editor)

The Government of Japan has named Kisarazu City as the hometown for all Nigerian nationals who are willing to relocate and work in Japan.

This latest move forms part of the East Asian country’s new strategy to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth with these African countries while enhancing the workforce and productivity of Japan.

Japan has been experiencing a decline in birth rate and is currently fighting against an aging demographic which has affected its workforce. Meanwhile, the country has experienced an unprecedented number of tourists entering the country further pressurising the system.

Under this new partnership, which was announced on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD-9), the Japanese government will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerian nationals who want to move to Kisarazu City 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.

Japan International Cooperation Agency, in a ceremony, also named the cities of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture the hometown of Ghanaian nationals, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture the hometown of Mozambique.

Through the arrangement, Japan looks to strengthen exchanges with the four African countries by officially connecting municipalities with existing relations with those nations.