City halls have been inundated with calls and emails from angry residents, who are concerned that their hometowns are being “given away” to African migrants.
The national panic in Japan has erupted as a result of false reports circulating in Africa and online that new visa schemes would enable a significant number of migrants to reside in the country. This was intended to be a symbolic gesture of friendship presented at an international summit.
In a matter of days, a modest cultural exchange program was transformed into a contentious immigration debate as a result of a mistranslated phrase, an overzealous government statement, and a flurry of social media postings.
The disarray was the result of the Japan International African Development Conference, which was held in Yokohama from Wednesday to Friday last week.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced at the summit that four localities – Nagai in Yamagata prefecture, Sanjo in Niigata, Kisarazu in Chiba, and Imabari in Ehime – would be designated as symbolic “hometowns” for partner countries Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
An employee at a Nigerian sawmill. The government of the country had made an incorrect assertion that Japan was establishing a unique visa category for youthful Nigerian blue-collar workers. Image credit: Reuters
A gesture to strengthen existing cultural and educational connections was the purpose of the initiative. However, the scheme was misinterpreted by officials and media in numerous African countries. Nigeria’s government issued a statement on Friday that falsely asserted that Japan was establishing a new visa category that would permit youthful Nigerians to “live and work” in Kisarazu. The statement indicated that “artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are prepared to upgrade their skills will also benefit from the special dispensation visa.”
The rural city of Nagai, which has a population of 26,500, was “awarded” to Africa, according to a news outlet in Tanzania. The reports rapidly escalated into rumors of mass immigration on social media.
The Japanese populace responded promptly. Nagai city hall has reported that it receives over 300 communications via its website and a nearly constant stream of calls, the majority of which originate from outside the city.
At a plaza in Tokyo, a man converses on his mobile phone. The communities of Nagai and Sanjo in Japan have reported that they have received hundreds of protest calls regarding the migration misunderstanding. Image credit: AFP
An official stated that individuals are contacting the organization to voice their apprehension regarding reports of special visas for Africans. “We have been endeavoring to clarify that this is not in accordance with the vision of JICA.”
The misunderstanding was further exacerbated by a mistranslation: the Japanese term for “dedicated” was translated as “sacrificed” in Tanzanian media.
The official further stated, “Many were extremely apprehensive, as the reports used language that suggested the town was being given away.”
Shigeharu Uchitani, the mayor of Nagai, issued a statement on Monday in an effort to alleviate the increasing anxiety. The statement clarified that the phrase “Japan dedicates Nagai City to Tanzania” had been misinterpreted as a vow to accept immigrants or a territorial transfer. He expressed his regret that inaccurate information has been disseminated.
Sanjo has encountered even more intense responses when paired with Ghana. It was reported by officials that they had received over 4,000 emails and phone calls in protest.
We have no intention of making such requests, and our city has not requested the adoption of immigrants.
Ryo Takizawa, the mayor of Sanjo, has attempted to reassure residents. “We have no intention of making such requests in the future, and our city has not requested the acceptance of immigrants,” he stated. He also denied reports that special work visas would be relaxed.
The government was accused of “promoting immigration to rural areas” and warning that “the day when Japan ceases to be Japan may come sooner than expected” in online forums and comment sections, which were filled with anger. The rumors were allegedly linked by others to corporations that were allegedly pursuing cheap labor in the face of Japan’s demographic decline.
“In major cities, the number of immigrants has surpassed that of locals as a result of the acceptance of immigrants from African countries by Europe,” stated one post. “Are we proceeding in the same direction?”
JICA responded by advising individuals to remain composed, emphasizing that the “Africa Hometown” initiative was solely symbolic and was designed to foster mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
It stated that statements made by the Nigerian government and numerous African media outlets were “inaccurate and potentially misleading.” It stated that it was collaborating with partners to rectify the situation.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, addressed the debate on Tuesday, emphasizing that JICA training programs would invite African interns to Japan; however, these placements would be purely temporary and would not confer residency rights.
Potentially misleading information, inaccuracies Increases animosity toward African migrants in Japan
City halls have been inundated with calls and emails from angry residents, who are concerned that their hometowns are being “given away” to African migrants.
The national panic in Japan has erupted as a result of false reports circulating in Africa and online that new visa schemes would enable a significant number of migrants to reside in the country. This was intended to be a symbolic gesture of friendship presented at an international summit.
In a matter of days, a modest cultural exchange program was transformed into a contentious immigration debate as a result of a mistranslated phrase, an overzealous government statement, and a flurry of social media postings.
The disarray was the result of the Japan International African Development Conference, which was held in Yokohama from Wednesday to Friday last week.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced at the summit that four localities – Nagai in Yamagata prefecture, Sanjo in Niigata, Kisarazu in Chiba, and Imabari in Ehime – would be designated as symbolic “hometowns” for partner countries Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
An employee at a Nigerian sawmill. The government of the country had made an incorrect assertion that Japan was establishing a unique visa category for youthful Nigerian blue-collar workers. Image credit: Reuters
A gesture to strengthen existing cultural and educational connections was the purpose of the initiative. However, the scheme was misinterpreted by officials and media in numerous African countries. Nigeria’s government issued a statement on Friday that falsely asserted that Japan was establishing a new visa category that would permit youthful Nigerians to “live and work” in Kisarazu. The statement indicated that “artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are prepared to upgrade their skills will also benefit from the special dispensation visa.”
The rural city of Nagai, which has a population of 26,500, was “awarded” to Africa, according to a news outlet in Tanzania. The reports rapidly escalated into rumors of mass immigration on social media.
The Japanese populace responded promptly. Nagai city hall has reported that it receives over 300 communications via its website and a nearly constant stream of calls, the majority of which originate from outside the city.
At a plaza in Tokyo, a man converses on his mobile phone. The communities of Nagai and Sanjo in Japan have reported that they have received hundreds of protest calls regarding the migration misunderstanding. Image credit: AFP
An official stated that individuals are contacting the organization to voice their apprehension regarding reports of special visas for Africans. “We have been endeavoring to clarify that this is not in accordance with the vision of JICA.”
The misunderstanding was further exacerbated by a mistranslation: the Japanese term for “dedicated” was translated as “sacrificed” in Tanzanian media.
The official further stated, “Many were extremely apprehensive, as the reports used language that suggested the town was being given away.”
Shigeharu Uchitani, the mayor of Nagai, issued a statement on Monday in an effort to alleviate the increasing anxiety. The statement clarified that the phrase “Japan dedicates Nagai City to Tanzania” had been misinterpreted as a vow to accept immigrants or a territorial transfer. He expressed his regret that inaccurate information has been disseminated.
Sanjo has encountered even more intense responses when paired with Ghana. It was reported by officials that they had received over 4,000 emails and phone calls in protest.
We have no intention of making such requests, and our city has not requested the adoption of immigrants.
Ryo Takizawa, the mayor of Sanjo, has attempted to reassure residents. “We have no intention of making such requests in the future, and our city has not requested the acceptance of immigrants,” he stated. He also denied reports that special work visas would be relaxed.
The government was accused of “promoting immigration to rural areas” and warning that “the day when Japan ceases to be Japan may come sooner than expected” in online forums and comment sections, which were filled with anger. The rumors were allegedly linked by others to corporations that were allegedly pursuing cheap labor in the face of Japan’s demographic decline.
“In major cities, the number of immigrants has surpassed that of locals as a result of the acceptance of immigrants from African countries by Europe,” stated one post. “Are we proceeding in the same direction?”
JICA responded by advising individuals to remain composed, emphasizing that the “Africa Hometown” initiative was solely symbolic and was designed to foster mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
It stated that statements made by the Nigerian government and numerous African media outlets were “inaccurate and potentially misleading.” It stated that it was collaborating with partners to rectify the situation.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, addressed the debate on Tuesday, emphasizing that JICA training programs would invite African interns to Japan; however, these placements would be purely temporary and would not confer residency rights.
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