林はやし官房かんぼう長官ちょうかん“「ホームタウン」認定にんてい移民いみん想定そうていせず丁寧ていねいに説明せつめい”

Regarding the exchange program that designates domestic municipalities as “hometowns” of African countries, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi indicated that information based on misunderstandings, such as “settling immigrants,” is spreading. He stated that the program does not intend to promote the acceptance of immigrants and expressed his intention to carefully explain the details of the program.

In conjunction with the recent TICAD Tokyo International Conference on African Development, JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency has designated four municipalities in Japan as hometowns for African countries and is promoting exchange programs. However, on social media, there is information spreading based on misunderstandings, such as claims that this is a system to settle immigrants.

At a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi stated regarding the “hometown” project, “There are no plans to promote the acceptance of immigrants or to issue special visas for the partner countries.”

We are assuming the acceptance of interns through training programs such as those offered by JICA, and explained that the training is for a limited period and that interns are expected to return to their home countries after completion.

Also, regarding the statement on the Nigerian governments website that the Japanese government issues special visas for young people who wish to move to Japan to live and work, we have explained the facts to the Nigerian government and have requested a correction.

The government stated, We would like to carefully explain so that the project is properly understood.

Chiba Kisarazu City Mayor: “There is no truth to accepting immigrants.” In Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, which was recognized as a “hometown” for Nigerians, protest calls continued on the 26th following the 25th, with questions such as “Why are you accepting immigrants?” and “What will you do if a large number of immigrants come and public safety worsens?” City staff spent the entire day responding to these calls.

More than 700 such inquiries had been received on the citys website by the 25th.

Kisarazu City Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe held a press conference on the 26th and stated, There is no truth to the rumors spreading on social media about accepting immigrants or easing visa issuance requirements.

Incorrect information is spreading and causing effects without the facts being confirmed.

We also need to communicate accurate information, he said.