Nigeria has secured a major cultural and diplomatic milestone in Japan as Kisarazu, a coastal city near Tokyo, has been officially recognized as the designated Nigerian hometown.

The development was announced during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), a high-level summit that concluded this week with renewed commitments to economic and cultural ties between Africa and Japan.

Following the announcement, two top aides to President Bola Tinubu — Bayo Onanuga and Temitope Ajayi — visited Kisarazu on Friday to explore its significance.

Onanuga shared insights from the trip, stating:
“After the closing ceremony of TICAD9, we went on a voyage of discovery to Kisarazu, the town the Japanese have designated as Nigeria’s hometown. Nigeria’s Olympic team camped here in 2021. The video shows the city centre, where the Mayor Watanabe’s office is also located.”

Frontpagenews.ng reports that the Japanese government will not only offer symbolic recognition but will also introduce a specialized visa scheme to welcome highly skilled Nigerians, innovative youth, and artisans eager to improve their craft.

In a statement released by the Director of Information at the Nigerian State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, the programme is designed to integrate Nigerians into Japan’s workforce while promoting shared growth and innovation.

The choice of Kisarazu carries deep significance given its hosting role during the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Japanese authorities see this as a continuation of friendship and a bridge for future cultural exchanges.