The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
has officially cancelled its “Africa Hometown” initiative following a
wave of public backlash and widespread misinformation that linked the programme
to immigration.
The project, launched in August during a major Africa
development conference, was designed to promote job training, cultural
exchanges, and social cooperation between four African nations and four
Japanese cities — Kisarazu, Sanjo, Imabari, and Nagai. However, it did
not include any immigration pathways or special visa programmes.
Despite this, false claims spread online and in some
media outlets, suggesting that the initiative would allow large numbers of
African migrants to settle in Japan. The confusion was further fuelled by a
mistaken statement from the Nigerian government, which wrongly announced
that Japan would create a new visa category under the scheme.
The backlash quickly escalated, with the participating
cities receiving thousands of emails and phone calls, overwhelming local
administrations and disrupting normal municipal functions.
JICA President Akihiko Tanaka addressed the
controversy at a press conference, stating:
“The project caused misunderstandings and confusion.
The Africa Hometown initiative will be withdrawn.”
The cancellation reflects Japan’s growing anti-immigration
sentiment, even though the country faces a shrinking population and labour
shortages. Currently, foreigners make up only 3% of Japan’s workforce,
and while some politicians admit the need for young foreign workers, there
remains strong resistance to permanent immigration.
Tanaka stressed that JICA will continue to support international
exchange programmes with Africa and other regions, but clarified that the
agency has no role in Japan’s immigration policy.
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