TOKYO - City halls in Japan are fielding a barrage of phone calls after rumors spread online that 'an influx of African immigrants will begin, crime will rise, and public safety will deteriorate,' following the designation of four Japanese municipalities as home towns for partner countries in Africa.
Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture says citizens have lodged more than 1,000 inquiries, with officials acknowledging that some calls went unanswered as staff struggled to cope throughout the day.
The trigger was an announcement tied to an Africa development conference held in Yokohama in August. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) named four municipalities—including Kisarazu—as home towns for four African nations, with the aim of strengthening international exchange. Soon after, Nigeria’s government initially stated that Japan would prepare special visas for young, talented Nigerians wishing to move to Japan. JICA and the Japanese government flatly denied that immigration was being promoted, explaining that the initiative anticipates accepting trainees through JICA programs, not facilitating immigration. JICA requested a correction, and Nigeria later removed the statement from its website.
Despite those clarifications, social media posts amplified claims of a mass inflow and rising crime. On Google Maps, the listing for the Kisarazu Police Station was altered to read “Chiba Prefectural Police Nigeria Government Police Station,” a change the city believes was made by an unknown third party.
Kisarazu previously served as a host town for Nigeria during the Tokyo Olympics four years ago, providing a base for pre-Games training. A local hotel that housed athletes then—and now employs foreign staff—has leaned into international décor so visitors can “experience overseas travel in Japan.” The hotel’s representative, Iizuka, expressed concern that negative online portrayals of foreigners could spill over onto employees, adding that the hotel is committed to ensuring guests “have fun and go home with good memories.”
Other municipalities designated as home towns have also faced a surge of complaints. The mayor of Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture stressed that the program is part of talent and cultural exchange and does not promote immigration, noting it amounts to plans such as a student training in Ghana for a year from next year. Officials in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, likewise rejected rumors circulating on social media.
Masahisa Sato, a former vice foreign minister, suggested the term “home town” may have been interpreted abroad as “hometown” in the sense of birthplace, whereas JICA intended something closer to a sister-city style partnership. He said JICA lodged a prompt request to correct statements that were inaccurate or potentially misleading, and that Nigeria’s deletion of the website notice reflects acceptance of Japan’s position.
Commentators also pointed to the broader political mood since the recent House of Councillors election, arguing that exclusionary rhetoric toward foreigners gained outsized media attention and may have normalized anxious reactions. They contrasted today’s tension with the previously welcoming atmosphere around events such as the Olympics and the World Cup, warning that clumsy communication could isolate Japan unnecessarily.
Residents in Kisarazu voiced mixed views. Some said it would be “interesting” to see more international visitors and hoped sports and cultural exchanges would help young people build ties. Others expressed unease, noting that many communities nationwide struggle with issues related to foreign residents and questioning whether their own city has the capacity to respond.
Kisarazu officials say phones have been ringing nonstop from the start of office hours, and anxiety persists even after JICA and the Foreign Ministry denied the rumors. City leaders criticized what they viewed as insufficient preparation and explanation by national agencies. With misinformation still spreading online, the municipalities involved are urging JICA and the government to communicate clearly and patiently to prevent misunderstandings and preserve the benefits of international exchange.
Source: TBS
