Yokohama, Japan – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has designated Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture as Nigeria’s official hometown in Japan.
This announcement was made at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), where JICA outlined new initiatives to deepen cooperation between Japan and African nations.
The hometown partnership aims to boost cultural, technical, and developmental collaboration by pairing African countries with Japanese cities that already have ties. As part of the arrangement, Nigeria was linked to Kisarazu, while Tanzania was connected to Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture, Ghana to Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture, and Mozambique to Imabari in Ehime Prefecture.
According to JICA, Kisarazu is a rapidly growing maritime and industrial hub near Tokyo that provides Nigeria with opportunities for technology transfer, maritime expertise, skills exchange, and industrial investment.
Officials say this partnership highlights Nigeria’s role in Africa’s growth story and Japan’s recognition of Nigeria’s youth-driven potential as a key driver of global development.
“Nigeria’s partnership with Kisarazu is an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding opportunities for trade and innovation,” a Nigerian embassy representative in Tokyo stated. The embassy delegation is scheduled to meet with the Mayor of Kisarazu and Japanese officials this week to begin operationalising the relationship.
The Federal Government described the move as a milestone under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying it will help diversify partnerships, create economic opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s global influence through enhanced people-to-people connections.