Key Facts
• Nagai City became Tanzania’s host town during the Tokyo Olympics.
• On August 22, 2025, JICA recognized four Japanese municipalities as African home towns.
• Tanzanian media falsely reported Nagai City was “donated” to Tanzania.
• Over 600 inquiries flooded Nagai City, questioning land provision and immigration.
• Nagai City denied the claims, stating the information is “not factual.”
• Mayor Shigeharu Uchitani clarified the home town program aims to deepen cultural exchange.
Summary
Nagai City, a host town for Tanzania during the Tokyo Olympics, faced misinformation after Tanzanian media falsely claimed it was “donated” to Tanzania. This led to over 600 inquiries from the public, prompting the city to issue a statement denying the claims. Mayor Shigeharu Uchitani emphasized that the home town recognition by JICA is solely for fostering cultural and municipal exchange between Japan and African nations. The city continues to address the misunderstanding and promote accurate information.
