The programme with Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania had aimed to foster cultural and social exchanges.

Dodoma

Japan's foreign aid agency has announced the cancellation of an exchange program with four African countries after protests and political backlash. The initiative, which aimed to promote cultural and social exchanges between Japanese cities and Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania, was targeted by inaccurate media reports and social media posts suggesting it would result in increased migration.

Officials reported a surge in complaints from residents of the Japanese towns involved, with some critics mistakenly believing the program would grant special residency or work permissions to participants. The move to cancel the initiative comes at a time of heightened anti-immigration sentiment in Japan, despite ongoing concerns about the country's shrinking population and its long-term economic impact.

Japan cuts Africa exchange initiative amid increased immigration fears

Japan's foreign aid agency says it's cancelling an exchange programme with African nations following protests and a political backlash. The Japan International Cooperation Agency initiative, aimed to foster cultural and social exchanges between the four countries and as many Japanese cities, but inaccurate media reports and posts on social media platforms about the Africa Hometown Programme suggested the scheme would lead to a flood of migrants. Officials say this resulted in an avalanche of complaints from residents in the Japanese towns that were paired with Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania. Some critics seem to believe that hometown status meant that people from these countries would be given special permission to live and work in the partner cities. The cancellation of the initiative comes amid rising anti-immigration sentiment in Japan, even as its shrinking population raises concerns about future economic sustainability. World Finance 2019 A production of World Finance Network © 2019 World Finance Network All rights reserved. World Finance Network

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