As Japan Designates City, Kisarazu, Hometown For Nigerians
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu has said that President Bola Tinubu’s robust participation at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) is proof of a new, assertive diplomacy that no amount of cynicism can overshadow.
Speaking to newsmen last Thursday night on the sidelines of the conference in Yokohama, Japan, Bagudu said it was dishonest for anyone to question Nigeria’s global relevance when the President himself is leading from the front, forging partnerships, and ensuring that Nigeria reclaims its pride of place in the comity of nations.
“The tremendous capacity His Excellency, President Tinubu, is bringing to diplomacy is there for all to see. He came to Japan to lead Nigeria at TICAD9 and from here he proceeds straight to Brazil.
“That alone should silence doubters. No other leader is putting in this level of personal effort to attract investment and restore national pride. The Renewed Hope Agenda is not rhetoric, it is action,” Bagudu declared.
According to him, President Tinubu’s interventions at TICAD9, particularly his bold submissions at the Peace and Security Plenary, drew not just promises but tangible commitments from partners who now recognise Nigeria as a dependable leader on the African continent.
“Japan and Africa share a philosophy of mutual respect and shared prosperity, and that is the very essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The President has said clearly: Nigeria will not be anybody’s appendage. We will only relate with those who respect us and with whom we share values. He is going the extra mile to ensure Nigeria is not shortchanged but benefits fully from global opportunities,” Bagudu said.
The minister stressed that under Tinubu, Nigeria is reclaiming its rightful leadership role in multilateral fora, advancing the founding principles of the United Nations, and reshaping how Africa is perceived globally.
“Let it be said clearly – those spreading doubt and cynicism are out of touch with reality. The world is watching Nigeria re-emerge under Tinubu’s leadership. His relentless diplomacy is silencing critics and restoring the confidence of Nigerians that our country is once again respected on the global stage,” Bagudu affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Government of Japan has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official hometown for Nigerians willing to live and work in the country as part of its strategic efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy, promote economic growth, and enhance workforce productivity.
The announcement was made last Thursday on the sidelines of the ongoing Ninth TICAD9 in Yokohama.Under the new arrangement, the Japanese Government will create a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who wish to reside and work in Kisarazu. Nigerian artisans and other blue-collar workers who are ready to up-skill will also benefit from the special visa dispensation.
At the ceremony, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also announced the designation of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture as the hometown of Tanzania, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture as the hometown of Ghana, and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture as the hometown of Mozambique.
Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, alongside Mr. Yoshikuni Watanabe, Mayor of Kisarazu, jointly received the certificate of designation from the Japanese Government.
Through this initiative, Japan seeks to strengthen exchanges with the four African countries by officially connecting municipalities with existing relations, fostering people-to-people ties, and boosting manpower development. Local authorities also expressed optimism that the designation will increase the population of their cities and contribute to regional revitalisation.
Kisarazu has long-standing ties with Nigeria, having hosted Team Nigeria during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games when the athletes held their pre-Games training camp and acclimatisation exercises in the city before moving to the Olympic Village.
Delivering his opening address at TICAD9, Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, announced $5.5 billion in new investments across Africa, underscoring the importance of mutual understanding, co-creation, and locally driven solutions.
Ishiba identified three priority areas of partnership with Africa – private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration. He also noted Japan’s demographic challenges, including an ageing population and shrinking agricultural land, appealing for greater cooperation from African countries in finding shared solutions.
“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. In creating solutions together, we must embrace co-creation through private sector growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration,” the Prime Minister said.
