The recent cultural partnership between four Japanese cities and four African nations was supposed to highlight friendship and cooperation. Cities like Imabari, Kisarazu, Sanjo, and Nagai were chosen to build symbolic ties with Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania. The goal was to promote mutual respect through cultural programs, school exchanges, and friendly events.
How a Translation Error Fueled Immigration Rumors in Japan
The confusion began when a Tanzanian newspaper used a Swahili word that meant dedicated in the sense of friendship and partnership. But when translated into Japanese, the word became sasageru, which can also mean to sacrifice or to give away.
This wording shocked many Japanese readers, making them believe their hometowns were being handed over to African countries. Social media quickly amplified the mistranslation, and panic grew as rumors spread that large groups of African migrants would move into these towns.
Social Media Panic Over African Migration in Japanese Towns
In Sanjo alone, officials reported receiving more than 3,500 emails and nearly 400 phone calls in just a few days. These numbers showed how quickly misinformation can overwhelm local governments when rumors spread online.
Posts on X claimed that Kisarazu was handed over to Africans, and within hours, the story went viral. Millions of users saw the post, and fear spread to other rural cities included in the partnership. Residents began to call local offices, demanding answers about whether their communities would face mass migration.
Mayors and officials in the affected cities acted quickly to reassure their communities. The mayor of Kisarazu reminded citizens that the city already had friendly ties with Nigeria, going back to when Nigerian athletes stayed there during the Tokyo Olympics.
He explained that the new partnership only focused on culture, sports, and education. Similarly, Sanjo city’s mayor rejected the claim that the town had agreed to accept migrants from Ghana. Both leaders emphasized that their goal was to promote goodwill, not immigration.
Japanese Government Clarifies No Immigration Policy Change
At the national level, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stepped in to end the confusion. He firmly stated that the partnerships with African nations did not involve any visa programs, immigration policies, or population transfers. The Japan International Cooperation Agency , which coordinated the initiative, also issued a strong statement.
JICA explained that the partnerships were designed only to promote cultural exchange and to encourage Japanese citizens to learn more about African societies. They urged news outlets in both Africa and Japan to correct the mistranslations and stop fueling panic.
The misunderstanding revealed how fragile communication can be when translation errors and online rumors combine. What was intended as a positive effort to strengthen Japan-Africa relations ended up causing fear in small rural towns already struggling with economic decline and population aging.
