From Nigeria to Mozambique, Japan’s new city-to-nation partnerships aim to strengthen cultural diplomacy, workforce mobility, and global cooperation.
At the 2025 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), Japan has unveiled a bold initiative to strengthen its partnership with Africa by designating four of its cities as official “hometowns” for select African nations.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced that:
Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture will serve as Nigeria’s hometown,
Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture will partner with Tanzania,
Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture will connect with Ghana, and
Imabari in Ehime Prefecture will align with Mozambique.
The move reflects Japan’s global strategy to deepen people-to-people diplomacy, foster cultural and economic exchanges, and prepare for Africa’s growing role in global development as its population continues to rise.
For Nigeria, the designation of Kisarazu holds particular significance. The city, which hosted Nigeria’s contingent during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will now open its doors more formally under a special visa scheme. This visa will target highly skilled professionals, innovative youth, and artisans seeking to upskill—an initiative expected to benefit both Nigeria’s talent pool and Japan’s workforce needs.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also announced plans to accelerate the development of the Nacala Corridor, a vital logistics network linking Zambia to Mozambique’s coast, while unveiling $5.5 billion in new investments in Africa.
Local authorities in Japan hope the hometown designations will not only strengthen bilateral ties but also revitalize regional Japanese cities by attracting new populations and creating spaces of cultural exchange.
Since its launch in 1993, TICAD has become a global platform for shaping Africa–Asia cooperation. This year’s edition in Yokohama, following Tunisia’s 2022 hosting, features three days of symposiums, high-level meetings, and civil society dialogues—all underscoring the shared commitment to sustainable development and mutual growth.
By officially connecting municipalities with African nations, Japan is signaling its recognition of Africa’s importance on the world stage—and its determination to nurture partnerships that go beyond trade, touching the very fabric of community and human exchange.
