#Japan #Yokohama #JICA #TICAD9 #HomeTown

Connecting African Development and Regional Revitalization at TICAD9

On August 21, 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a pivotal thematic event titled "JICA Africa HomeTown Summit: Let's Connect African Development and Regional Revitalization" at the Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu, during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). This summit aimed to solidify the relationships between various African nations and Japanese local governments that have been fostered through JICA's initiatives, contributing to Japan's regional revitalization goals under the banner of Local Revitalization 2.0. Furthermore, the event sought to cultivate talent that will serve as a bridge between Japan and Africa.

As part of the proceedings, four local governments were officially designated as "JICA Africa HomeTowns". The cities recognized included Imabari in Ehime Prefecture linked with Mozambique, Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture with Nigeria, Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture with Ghana, and Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture with Tanzania. The event facilitated discussions on the expectations associated with these HomeTown initiatives and the mutual benefits that arise from fostering connections between local governments in Japan and countries in Africa.

In his opening remarks, JICA Vice President Miyazaki emphasized the significance of this inaugural initiative in enhancing co-creation efforts and contributing to local revitalization. He expressed a desire for collaborative learning between Japan and Africa to identify solutions together. Takemura, Special Advisor to the JICA President, elaborated on the HomeTown concept, inspired by the host towns during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, explaining that JICA aims to naturally foster increased people-to-people exchanges through its extensive experience in cooperation.

During the event, the mayors of the four designated HomeTowns shared their aspirations and proposals. For instance, Mayor Tokunaga of Imabari reiterated a commitment to nurturing connections with Mozambique, expressing his vision of developing ties with local municipalities. Mayor Watanabe of Kisarazu outlined plans to introduce Nigerian participants to core values of discipline, respect, and justice through a baseball and softball curriculum, rooted in the principles of Japanese athletic culture. Additionally, Mayor Takizawa of Sanjo highlighted a partnership with Keio University, enabling students from Sanjo and Ghana to collaborate through a local revitalization initiative and JICA’s overseas cooperation program. He shared that these exchanges aim to promote agricultural knowledge-sharing and deeper relationships across borders.

Furthermore, key representatives from local industries, like Miyahara from Mitsuya Bridge, discussed the impactful community interactions with Zambia, mentioning how agricultural exchanges not only increased revenue and crop diversity in Zambia but also revitalized the elderly in Marumori Town, asserting that this mutual engagement profoundly benefits both communities. Miyahara confidently stated, “While Marumori is a small town, we believe Africa can be our savior.”

Keio University’s Professor Tamura concluded the panel by reinforcing the idea that Japan's assistance to Africa should transition from a "for" approach to a "with" approach, emphasizing trust-building through connections as a fundamental principle of international cooperation. He encouraged using this connection as a stepping stone for collaborative regional revitalization alongside Africa.

As the event came to a close, Director Kuroda of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reaffirmed the ministry's support for these endeavors, marking a successful and productive summit. The recognition of the JICA Africa HomeTown initiative signifies an essential first step in strengthening the ties between Japan's regions and the various nations of Africa. JICA is committed to continuing its efforts to contribute to regional revitalization and international cooperation through this initiative.


Image from the JICA Africa HomeTown recognition ceremony.

The event was indeed a success, cultivating numerous relationships and highlighting the potential for future collaborations between Japan and Africa through various thematic discussions related to mutual growth and support.