Japan’s government has denied claims that it was handing over control of one of its cities to Tanzania, after misinformation surrounding a cultural exchange programme triggered public anger and xenophobic backlash.

The controversy began after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a government-backed body implementing Tokyo’s overseas development and aid programmes, established in 1974, launched a new initiative linking four Japanese cities with African partner countries.

Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria and Ghana were each paired with a Japanese city as “symbolic hometowns” for cultural and development exchanges.

Confusion arose after some African media reported that Nagai City in Yamagata Prefecture would “become part of the country of Tanzania,” according to JICA. In Nigeria, the government fuelled the uproar with a now-deleted announcement claiming Japan would create a “special visa category” for Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa moved to dispel the rumours on August 26, stressing that only temporary interns would be accepted through JICA training schemes. “There are no plans to take measures to promote the acceptance of immigrants or issue special visas for residents of African countries, and the series of reports and announcements concerning such measures are not true,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, cited by Kyodo and other media. 

Japan’s immigration debate has become increasingly fraught as the country faces labour shortages and an ageing population, even as foreign residents remain a small minority. Government data show that by the end of 2024, there were 3.77mn foreign residents in Japan, with just over 25,000 from African countries.

Japan’s overseas volunteer scheme, launched in 1965 and later absorbed by JICA, has dispatched more than 57,000 volunteers worldwide. Today, JICA runs scholarship and training schemes with hundreds of African participants, focusing on temporary exchanges rather than permanent settlement.

The fallout saw cities involved in the JICA scheme inundated with complaints. According to public broadcaster NHK, Imabari officials received 1,000 emails and 450 phone calls on August 25, while other mayors issued reassurances. Some social media users called for JICA to be dismantled altogether.

Nigeria has since removed its initial visa announcement and replaced it with a correction, omitting references to immigration privileges. JICA and Japan’s foreign ministry have urged African governments and media to amend their reporting to prevent further confusion.