Hometown” project with Africa to be cancelled in an unprecedented move amid a flood of protests over misinformation about “promoting immigration

Following a flood of protests following the spread of false information on social media regarding a project to strengthen exchanges between four Japanese cities designated as "hometowns" for African countries, JICA has decided to withdraw the project. Official announcement about the cancellation is planned on the 25th.

Reversal of an event by Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to misinformation on social media is unusual. A senior official at the ministry expressed growing concern with people perceiving this as a win.