By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
In a surprising turn that has drawn sharp criticism from rights advocates and African stakeholders, Japan has scrapped its long-running Africa Exchange Program, citing fears of irregular migration. The move, announced by Japan’s Ministry of Education on Wednesday, has been described as a setback to cultural diplomacy and human-capital exchange between Asia’s second-largest economy and the African continent.
According to Japanese officials, the decision followed internal security briefings suggesting that participants of the program could overstay visas and contribute to irregular migration flows. However, critics say these fears are exaggerated and not backed by evidence, pointing instead to growing xenophobia in Japan’s immigration policies.
The Africa Exchange Program, launched more than a decade ago, was designed to strengthen ties between Japanese universities and African institutions. Each year, it sponsored hundreds of African students, researchers, and cultural ambassadors to study, intern, and participate in short-term exchanges in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Many alumni of the program have gone on to build careers bridging African businesses and Japanese companies, while some became academics promoting mutual understanding. For this reason, the cancellation has shocked many participants who saw it as a unique model of soft power diplomacy.
“This program wasn’t just about academics it was about building lifelong people-to-people connections. Ending it abruptly is a huge blow,” said Dr. Mariam Kone, a Malian scholar and former participant.
Japan’s immigration stance has long been regarded as restrictive, with the country maintaining one of the lowest refugee acceptance rates among OECD nations. In 2024, Japan granted asylum to fewer than 300 people, despite receiving thousands of applications.
Analysts argue that the scrapping of the exchange program is part of a broader pattern of suspicion toward foreigners, particularly Africans, who are disproportionately subjected to stereotypes of overstaying visas or engaging in irregular migration.
“The government is sending the wrong signal treating Africa as a migration threat rather than a partner,” said political analyst Kenji Watanabe in a televised discussion on NHK.
Several African embassies in Tokyo have expressed disappointment, with Nigeria’s envoy describing the move as “short-sighted.” In Addis Ababa, the African Union’s Commission on Education issued a statement urging Japan to reconsider, emphasizing that mobility programs strengthen skills and global cooperation.
“This decision risks undermining years of investment in Japan-Africa relations,” the AU said. “We encourage Tokyo to address immigration management without sacrificing valuable academic and cultural initiatives.”
The decision has left many students stranded mid-application. Universities in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa confirmed that they had been preparing dozens of candidates for the 2025 intake when news of the suspension broke.
Tokyo University, one of the key hosts, expressed regret but said it had no choice but to comply with the government’s directive. “We deeply value our African partners and hope for a future resumption of the program,” a spokesperson said.
For many, the move represents a missed opportunity to strengthen ties at a time when global challenges from climate change to trade diversification require deeper cooperation between Africa and Asia.
Observers say the cancellation comes at a politically sensitive time. Japan is preparing for a general election next year, where immigration and national security have become key talking points. Analysts fear the move is less about facts and more about domestic political calculations.
Meanwhile, student unions and advocacy groups in both Japan and Africa have launched petitions calling for the reinstatement of the program. As of Thursday, an online petition had gathered more than 15,000 signatures.
“Exchange is not a threat it is a bridge,” said a joint statement by African students in Tokyo. “Japan stands to lose more by cutting ties with Africa’s next generation.”
Whether Tokyo reconsiders or stands firm, the decision is likely to cast a shadow on its broader diplomatic engagement with Africa. For many Africans, it reinforces perceptions that Japan is retreating from its commitments to inclusive global cooperation.
