The Government of Japan has refuted reports suggesting it is preparing a special visa programme for skilled Nigerian workers under a new cultural exchange initiative.

The clarification comes after claims circulated that Nigerians would be offered a special pathway to live and work in Kisarazu, a Japanese city recently paired with Nigeria in the JICA Africa Hometown programme.

The initiative, launched during the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, is designed to promote cultural and social exchange between African countries and Japanese local governments. Under the programme, four Japanese cities were designated as “hometowns” for four African nations: Kisarazu for Nigeria, Nagai for Tanzania, Sanjo for Ghana, and Imabari for Mozambique.

Some reports, including a statement from Nigeria’s State House, had claimed Japan would introduce a special visa category for young, talented Nigerians — including artisans and skilled workers — to relocate to Kisarazu.

However, Japan’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the reports, stressing that the programme is strictly about cultural exchange, volunteer activities, and local partnerships, not immigration.

“There are no plans to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for Africans. The reports are not true,” the ministry clarified.

The Japanese government also pledged to continue issuing clear information about the initiative to prevent further misunderstandings.

For now, the JICA Africa Hometown programme remains focused on building friendship, knowledge-sharing, and cooperation between communities — not opening new migration routes.