For Nigerians looking to live and work in Japan, there’s a new development: the Japanese government has named Kisarazu, a city in Chiba Prefecture, as their official hometown. The announcement was made during the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), where Japan also rolled out a brand-new visa category for young, skilled, and innovative Nigerians hoping to relocate. Artisans and other workers ready to upskill will also benefit from the special visa dispensation, making this a truly inclusive arrangement. Alongside Kisarazu, Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture was named the hometown for Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture for Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture for Mozambique. The goal is to strengthen cultural exchanges, deepen workforce collaboration, and revitalise regional cities.