Japan ends JICA ‘Africa Hometown’ partnership with Nigeria and other African Nations

Japan has officially ended the JICA ‘Africa Hometown’ partnership with Nigeria and other African nations, following weeks of protests, confusion, and misinformation. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has confirmed that the initiative, initially designed to strengthen cultural and developmental ties between Japan and selected African countries, will no longer proceed. The decision came after widespread concerns among Japanese citizens that the programme would create new pathways for mass African immigration into Japan.

Background of the Initiative

The “Africa Hometown” agreement was launched with much optimism during an African development conference in Yokohama in August 2025. Its central objective was to encourage grassroots exchanges by linking Japanese municipalities with partner African nations.

The partnerships included:

• Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture with Nigeria
• Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture with Tanzania
• Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture with Ghana
• Imabari in Ehime Prefecture with Mozambique

These exchanges were expected to boost cultural understanding, promote local development, and deepen Japan’s engagement with Africa. However, despite its intended goals, the project quickly became a lightning rod for controversy in Japan.

Growing Controversy and Public Backlash

Public opposition to the project intensified almost immediately after the announcement was made. A significant portion of Japanese citizens perceived the initiative as a veiled immigration scheme that would encourage Africans to relocate to Japan. This perception was fuelled by online debates, amplified by social media, and ultimately escalated into street-level protests across several cities.

The timing of the initiative also contributed to the controversy. Japan has been grappling with debates around labour shortages and immigration policies, making citizens particularly sensitive to programmes that might appear to involve migration.

The Role of Misinformation

One of the most damaging aspects of the controversy was the spread of misinformation. The Nigerian government falsely announced that the agreement included a new visa category that would allow Nigerians to work in Japan. This announcement was widely circulated and interpreted as official confirmation of immigration benefits tied to the partnership.

Although JICA and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked to clarify that the initiative had no connection to visas or immigration policies, the misinformation spread faster than corrections could be made. As a result, distrust grew, and the uproar became increasingly difficult to control.

JICA’s Official Statement

Responding to the rising tension, Akihiko Tanaka, president of JICA, announced the cancellation of the project. He stated:

“Taking the situation seriously, upon consultations with stakeholders, JICA has decided to cancel the ‘Africa Hometown Initiative.’ We emphasise, however, that promoting international exchange, including with Africa, remains an important priority, and we pledge to continue supporting such efforts despite withdrawing this project.”

Tanaka also reiterated that JICA has never promoted, nor does it intend to promote, immigration-related initiatives. He acknowledged that the backlash placed significant strain on Japanese municipalities that had been preparing for the partnerships, creating an environment where the project could no longer succeed.

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Implications for Africa–Japan Relations

The cancellation of the JICA ‘Africa Hometown’ partnership with Nigeria and other African nations is a setback for Japan–Africa cooperation. However, both sides remain committed to exploring new frameworks for collaboration. Japan has repeatedly emphasised that Africa remains a crucial partner in its foreign policy, particularly in areas such as infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and technology transfer.

For African nations such as Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique, the end of the initiative underscores the importance of careful diplomatic communication. Misinterpretations and exaggerated announcements, such as the Nigerian government’s claim about visa opportunities, can have serious consequences for bilateral relations and international perception.

Also, there remains strong potential for collaboration between Japan and African nations in non-controversial areas such as trade, education exchange, and capacity building. Both African governments and Japanese municipalities may soon revisit similar initiatives, but with a greater focus on transparency and public trust.