Japanese people protest massively against African immigration

Massive protests took place in Japan after government statements began to circulate, which were later deleted, announcing new visa programs that would allow the massive arrival of African immigrants to the country.

The conflict originated at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, held in Yokohama between Wednesday and Friday last week.

In this context, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reported that four cities, Nagai, Sanjo, Kisarazu, and Imabari, would be designated as "origin cities" for the partner countries Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, and Mozambique.

However, authorities and media from various African countries had "misinterpreted the proposal," and the government of Nigeria released a statement on Friday in which, incorrectly, it claimed that Japan was implementing a new visa category that would enable Nigerians to "live and work" in Japan.

The response from Japanese citizens was swift. The municipality of Nagai reported that, through its website, it received more than 300 messages and an almost uninterrupted flow of phone calls, most of them coming from outside the city.

"People are calling to express their concern about the reports on special visas for Africans," a local official explained. "We've been trying to explain that this is not what JICA intended," he added.

The same official stated: "Many were truly concerned because the reports used terms that made it seem as if the city was being handed over."

In Sanjo, the reaction was even more intense. Authorities indicated that they received more than 4,000 calls and emails in protest. Meanwhile, at the same time, a crowd of Japanese citizens took to the streets to protest against African immigration.

Mayor Ryo Takizawa, in an attempt to reassure the population, stated: "Our city has not requested the acceptance of immigrants and we do not plan to do so in the future," he said, also emphasizing that the reports about an alleged relaxation of work visas are "false."

On internet forums and in the comments sections, the outrage became evident. Several users accused the government of "promoting immigration to rural areas" and warned that "the day when Japan ceases to be Japan could come sooner than expected."

One of the most shared posts stated: "Europe has accepted immigrants from African countries and now immigrants outnumber locals in the big cities," said a post. "Will we follow the same path?"