Japan has not given away any city to Tanzania. On August 27, 2025, officials refuted widely shared online claims that The government had “handed over” a municipality or opened the door to large-scale African immigration. The government said the rumor misread a new program run by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that links Japanese cities with African partner countries as symbolic hometowns to support cultural exchange and economic ties. No land, sovereignty, or population is being transferred, and no immigration policy has changed.
Rumor denial and what the program does
The initiative, announced in mid-August and formally presented during TICAD9 in Yokohama from August 20–23, 2025, is called the JICA Africa Hometown Initiative. It pairs four Japanese municipalities with four African countries as “hometowns.” The designations are:
- Nagai City (Yamagata Prefecture) — Tanzania
- Kisarazu City (Chiba Prefecture) — Nigeria
- Sanjo City (Niigata Prefecture) — Ghana
- Imabari City (Ehime Prefecture) — Mozambique
Officials stressed these are symbolic links meant to grow people-to-people ties and business cooperation. They are:
- Not immigration programs
- Not grants of residence rights
- Not changes to borders or sovereignty
The government’s statement focused on correcting misinformation that confused a cultural exchange effort with a transfer of land or a plan to bring in large numbers of new residents.
JICA describes the goal as building two-way cooperation in human resources, culture, and technology. Activities can include:
- Joint events and cultural festivals
- School connections and short-term study exchanges
- Short professional visits and company-to-company learning
- Technology and skills-sharing projects
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the “hometowns” concept also supports Japanese regional revitalization by inviting new ideas and trade links while keeping participation under the control of local authorities and partner embassies. The emphasis is on ties that help both sides grow skills and create business opportunities without changing immigration rules.
The timing of the rollout drew attention because it coincided with TICAD, Japan’s main forum with African partners. With Africa’s population projected to reach about a quarter of the world’s total by 2050, Japanese agencies see steady, long-term engagement as prudent policy. Nevertheless, online chatter included false claims — notably that Japan had ceded a city to Tanzania — which officials repeatedly denied.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has posted background on Japan–Africa cooperation and TICAD proceedings on its official site. Readers can confirm policy documents and statements through the Ministry’s TICAD page: https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/africa/ticad/. The agency materials underline that the hometowns plan is designed to support connection and learning, not resettlement.
During the week of TICAD9, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya and Tanzanian Foreign Minister Kombo also welcomed a separate Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) on human resource development in the construction sector on August 21, 2025. That agreement aims to train Tanzanian youth in Japanese engineering and construction technologies. Officials highlighted that this MoU is unrelated to the “hometowns” rumor and does not include any transfer of land or population — it focuses on skills and jobs and aligns with the program’s wider goal of two-way growth.
Key takeaway: The hometowns are symbolic partnership links to promote exchange and skills-sharing. No territory, sovereignty, or immigration changes are involved.
Local impact and next steps
For the four cities, expected benefits are practical and local. Leaders in Nagai, Kisarazu, Sanjo, and Imabari hope the pairings will spark:
- Classroom projects and school linkages
- Cultural exchange festivals featuring music, food, and art
- Visits by small business groups and trial partnerships
- Collaboration in fields such as metalwork, port logistics, food processing, and clean water technology
Program ideas may include:
- Cultural events that bring partner-country music, food, and art to Japanese hometowns
- Educational exchanges linking schools and universities for short-term study and joint research
- Business matchmaking to explore trade, maintenance know-how, or light manufacturing ties
- Technology transfer pilots where engineers share practical methods and tools
JICA and participating municipalities will track results and adjust plans over time. The step-by-step process includes:
- Selecting cities with existing ties
- Confirming the official designation
- Engaging mayors and embassy teams
- Running exchanges and pilot projects
- Evaluating outcomes and refining activities
All steps operate within normal legal frameworks. There is no special immigration channel created by the hometowns program, and no change to who may live or work in Japan.
Addressing concerns and misinformation
The backlash following the online rumor showed how quickly confusion can spread. Some residents voiced fears about immigration or crime, while others feared the idea of “giving away” Japanese land. Officials said those concerns were based on false claims and stressed that accurate information matters.
VisaVerge.com reports that agencies are now communicating more clearly about what the program does and does not do. Local governments are planning public briefings to explain goals and expected activities.
At the same time, African partners have welcomed the focus on cooperation. For Tanzania, a connection to Nagai City creates a defined point of contact for schools, professional groups, and companies interested in small joint projects. The separate construction skills MoU may open training paths for young Tanzanians to learn Japanese methods they can apply back home. These efforts fit a wider picture of steady ties that help both sides.
Officials also noted that TICAD9 covered trade, development, and security, but media attention drifted toward the rumor, overshadowing an agenda focused on long-term planning and steady work. The hometowns plan should be seen in that context: a modest, practical tool for connection, not a grand reshaping of immigration.
What to watch next
JICA may consider adding more cities or expanding activities if the first four pairings show promise. Authorities have committed to:
- Pushing clear messages to counter false claims quickly
- Encouraging residents to rely on official sources and city notices rather than social media posts lacking context
- Holding public meetings and briefings as municipalities plan calendars and budgets
For readers following these developments, here are the core points to keep in mind:
- No city has been transferred to Tanzania, and no population move is planned.
- The “hometowns” designations support cultural exchange and cooperation in skills and business.
- The program was announced during TICAD9 in Yokohama and is managed with partner embassies and local leaders.
- A separate August 21, 2025 MoU between Japan and Tanzania focuses on construction skills and is not tied to immigration or land issues.
The success of the initiative will be measured by small but real outcomes: school partnerships that last, internships that teach practical techniques, and trade links that help firms in both places. If residents see these concrete steps, the meaning of “hometowns” will become clear and useful. If false rumors resurface, officials say they will respond quickly with facts and keep the conversation focused on what the program actually delivers.
As municipalities begin planning calendars and budgets, expect a stream of public meetings and calls for volunteers. Residents can participate by:
- Hosting visitors
- Joining student exchanges
- Helping local businesses explore partner markets
The policy is simple: build friendly ties, learn from each other, and keep decisions close to the community.
This Article in a Nutshell
Japan denied that any city was given to Tanzania; JICA’s Africa Hometown Initiative creates symbolic municipal partnerships (four pairings) for exchanges, not immigration. A separate August 21 MoU focuses on construction training for Tanzanian youth and does not alter borders or residency rules.
