Visa Hoax Exposed! Japan Debunks Claims Of Special Entry Route For Nigerians

Japan has refuted reports claiming it planned to introduce a special visa category for Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu, a Japanese city recently linked to Nigeria as part of an exchange programme.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The confusion arose after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama. The programme was designed to strengthen ties between selected African countries and Japanese local governments, with four cities designated across Africa.

A statement issued on August 22 by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, had suggested that Japan would grant special visas to highly skilled and innovative Nigerians, as well as artisans and blue-collar workers willing to upskill in Kisarazu. This report quickly spread across both local and international media outlets.

However, in a clarification on Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the reports, stressing that the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative is strictly for cultural and developmental exchanges, including joint activities and events involving JICA overseas cooperation volunteers.

The ministry added that while the programme will continue to foster cooperation between Japan and Africa, there are no plans to introduce special visas for Nigerians or promote immigration through the initiative, describing earlier reports as “untrue.”