TOKYO, Aug 27 (News On Japan) –
City halls in Japan are fielding a barrage of cellphone calls after rumors unfold on-line that ‘an inflow of African immigrants will start, crime will rise, and public security will deteriorate,’ following the designation of 4 Japanese municipalities as house cities for accomplice international locations in Africa.
Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture says residents have lodged greater than 1,000 inquiries, with officers acknowledging that some calls went unanswered as employees struggled to manage all through the day.
The set off was an announcement tied to an Africa growth convention held in Yokohama in August. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) named 4 municipalities—together with Kisarazu—as house cities for 4 African nations, with the goal of strengthening worldwide change. Soon after, Nigeria’s authorities initially said that Japan would put together particular visas for younger, proficient Nigerians wishing to maneuver to Japan. JICA and the Japanese authorities flatly denied that immigration was being promoted, explaining that the initiative anticipates accepting trainees by JICA packages, not facilitating immigration. JICA requested a correction, and Nigeria later eliminated the assertion from its web site.
Despite these clarifications, social media posts amplified claims of a mass influx and rising crime. On Google Maps, the itemizing for the Kisarazu Police Station was altered to learn “Chiba Prefectural Police Nigeria Government Police Station,” a change town believes was made by an unknown third celebration.
Kisarazu beforehand served as a bunch city for Nigeria in the course of the Tokyo Olympics 4 years in the past, offering a base for pre-Games coaching. An area resort that housed athletes then—and now employs overseas employees—has leaned into worldwide décor so guests can “experience overseas travel in Japan.” The resort’s consultant, Iizuka, expressed concern that detrimental on-line portrayals of foreigners may spill over onto staff, including that the resort is dedicated to making sure visitors “have fun and go home with good memories.”
Other municipalities designated as house cities have additionally confronted a surge of complaints. The mayor of Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture confused that this system is a part of expertise and cultural change and doesn’t promote immigration, noting it quantities to plans similar to a pupil coaching in Ghana for a yr from subsequent yr. Officials in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, likewise rejected rumors circulating on social media.
Masahisa Sato, a former vice overseas minister, recommended the time period “home town” could have been interpreted overseas as “hometown” within the sense of birthplace, whereas JICA supposed one thing nearer to a sister-city fashion partnership. He stated JICA lodged a immediate request to appropriate statements that have been inaccurate or probably deceptive, and that Nigeria’s deletion of the web site discover displays acceptance of Japan’s place.
Commentators additionally pointed to the broader political temper because the current House of Councillors election, arguing that exclusionary rhetoric towards foreigners gained outsized media consideration and will have normalized anxious reactions. They contrasted right this moment’s stress with the beforehand welcoming environment round occasions such because the Olympics and the World Cup, warning that clumsy communication may isolate Japan unnecessarily.
Residents in Kisarazu voiced combined views. Some stated it could be “interesting” to see extra worldwide guests and hoped sports activities and cultural exchanges would assist younger folks construct ties. Others expressed unease, noting that many communities nationwide battle with points associated to overseas residents and questioning whether or not their very own metropolis has the capability to reply.
Kisarazu officers say telephones have been ringing nonstop from the beginning of workplace hours, and nervousness persists even after JICA and the Foreign Ministry denied the rumors. City leaders criticized what they seen as inadequate preparation and rationalization by nationwide businesses. With misinformation nonetheless spreading on-line, the municipalities concerned are urging JICA and the federal government to speak clearly and patiently to stop misunderstandings and protect the advantages of worldwide change.
Source: TBS