JICA to Cancel ‘Hometown Project’ Amid Confusion Over Scheme After Host Cities Deluged with Complaints

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:27 JST, September 25, 2025

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has decided to scrap the “JICA Africa Hometown” program, it was announced Thursday, amid confusion and complaints over the scheme.

The program was intended to strengthen exchanges between four Japanese cities and partner countries in Africa.

On Aug. 21, JICA had certified the cities of Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture, Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture as host cities for the project.

The scheme, which would have promoted international exchanges through observation and training, was not intended to encourage accepting immigrants or to issue special visas.

Despite this, the four cities received numerous complaints, leading the municipalities to request either a change in the name of the project or a complete review of the program’s scope.