Japan Cancels African Cultural Exchange Program Amid Immigration Fears

TDT | Tokyo

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Japan’s international aid agency has announced the cancellation of its cultural exchange program with African nations, following widespread misunderstandings that it would allow a surge of migrants into the country.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said Thursday it would terminate the “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative, which was intended to promote cultural and social exchanges between four African countries and four regional Japanese cities: Kisarazu, Sanjo, Imabari, and Nagai.

However, the announcement triggered a wave of calls and emails from concerned citizens who mistakenly believed the program was a new immigration scheme. Local officials reported being overwhelmed, making it difficult to manage normal municipal operations.

“The project caused misunderstandings and confusion,” JICA President Akihiko Tanaka said at a press conference. “The Africa Hometown initiative will be withdrawn.”

The cancellation reflects growing anti-immigration sentiment in Japan, despite the country maintaining one of the world’s strictest immigration policies.

Initially unveiled during an Africa development conference hosted by Japan in August, the program aimed to provide job training and cultural exchanges. It did not include immigration pathways or special visa arrangements.

Nevertheless, false claims—amplified by online posts, some media reports, and a mistaken statement from the Nigerian government suggesting a “special visa category”—led many to believe the program would facilitate African migration to Japan.