₦airaland Forum

The government of Japan on Thursday named the city of Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country as part of its strategic efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth and enhance workforce productivity.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Director of Information at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye.

The statement noted that under the new partnership, announced on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development, the Japanese government will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live 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 in Niigata Prefecture the hometown of Ghana, 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,” the statement stated.

On her part, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires, Mrs. Florence Adeseke, also the Acting Ambassador to Japan, and Yoshikuni Watanabe, the Mayor of Kisarazu, received the certificate from the Japanese government naming Kisarazu the hometown of Nigerians.

The four cities will foster a foundation for two-way exchanges for manpower development that will add value to the economic growth of Japan, Nigeria, and the other three African nations.

“Local authorities hope that the designations will increase the population of their cities, contributing to their regional revitalisation efforts.

“Kisarazu was the official host town of the Nigerian contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The team conducted their pre-games training camps and acclimatisation in the city before moving to the Olympic village, in the COVID-19 delayed Olympic Games,” it added.

In his opening address at the TICAD9, where he announced $5.5 billion in New investment in Africa, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasised the importance of mutual understanding, local solutions, and collaborative efforts for Africa’s development. The Prime Minister outlined Japan’s focus on private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.

Prime Minister Ishiba acknowledged the challenges of Japan’s ageing population but emphasised that locally rooted solutions are essential for Africa’s development.

“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa”.

He appealed to African countries to assist Japan as it grapples with the challenges of a declining population and shrinking agricultural land.

Guestmale:
I hope our people that are crying over unmanned 5 by 10 cubicle can now see a bigger fish Nigeria has gotten from the on going exhibition and go and rest.

Softmirror:
The only thing I can say is that Nigeria did not go all the way to Japan to go and be displaying Ankara, Aso Oke, Tiv Zebra fabrics..........inside one 4x4 shop called booth.

Our goal is a $1 Billion Dollars deal investment from Japan.

givedemwotowoto:
$1 Billion like this?

Guestmale:
I hope our people that are crying over unmanned 5 by 10 cubicle can now see a bigger fish Nigeria has gotten from the on going exhibition and go and rest.

Guestmale:
I hope our people that are crying over unmanned 5 by 10 cubicle can now see a bigger fish Nigeria has gotten from the on going exhibition and go and rest.

motymop:
the city has no activities going on there, population is like 136,023 people, it is a very small rural town near tokyo, like about 1 hour from Tokyo

so you can work in farms there...and be a farmer

learning a new language and living in a small rural town can be challenging, i wish all of you well.

CJStarz:
No worry your self
My Igbo brothers will soon transform the agrarian setting into a commercial nerve center. We got d magic wand. No jus worry yourself

Dogalmighty17:
It would have been nice but the Japanese are the most racist nation on earth.

Guestmale:
I hope our people that are crying over unmanned 5 by 10 cubicle can now see a bigger fish Nigeria has gotten from the on going exhibition and go and rest.

PulaPower:
Japanese are one of the most honest individuals on earth..

I’ll always pick Japan over these western countries..

ayo2008:
Let the deception continue

Guestmale:
I hope our people that are crying over unmanned 5 by 10 cubicle can now see a bigger fish Nigeria has gotten from the on going exhibition and go and rest.

omenka:
My greatest concern is that they dont go ruin the gift with mkpurunmiri as they have done in Ghana and SA.