The Japan International Cooperation Agency has announced the cancellation of the “African Sister Cities” cultural exchange program following an online disinformation campaign that triggered complaints and public fears over immigration.
The initiative was designed to link four regional Japanese cities with communities in four African countries to promote training and cultural understanding, with no connection to visas or migration.
The decision comes as Japan faces rising xenophobia, despite having some of the world’s strictest immigration laws, and growing concerns about the sustainability of its economy amid a shrinking workforce.
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