Prime Minister Abe gives a general debate address at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly (September 29, 2015).
©UN Photo/Kim Haughton
The United Nations was founded in 1945, just after World War II, under the pledge to prevent the recurrence of war. Japan acceded to the UN 11 years later, in 1956, and has since then continued contributing internationally in various fields.
Although the Cold War structure has been dissolved, the international community now faces new challenges to deal with, such as the frequent occurrence of regional and ethnic conflicts, poverty, sustainable development, climate change, and human rights issues. The international community needs to tackle these issues by making the best possible use of the UN with its universal character, expertise, and legitimacy.
For about 30 years, Japan has ranked as the second-largest contributor to the regular budget of the UN, after the United States. Japan’s contributions are not limited to financial aspects. It has played a leading role in various UN fora and also made intellectual and personnel contributions.
The year 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of Japan’s accession to the UN. Taking this opportunity, Japan will contribute even more actively in various fields centering on the UN’s three pillars of peace and security, human rights, and development, in close cooperation with other countries involved.
In January 2016, Japan was elected for the 11th time as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for two years. No other member state has served as many terms in this capacity. In the UNSC, Japan is actively contributing to addressing a wide range of issues concerning international peace and security, including peacebuilding in Africa, on which Japan organized an open debate as president of the UNSC in July.
The Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) was held in Nairobi on August 27 and 28, 2016, led by Japan and co-organized by the UN, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and the African Union Commission, and taking its outcomes into consideration, Japan intends to further support Africa’s growth and development.
Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu observes the hoisting of the Japanese national flag to mark Japan’s accession to the UN (December 19, 1956).
©UN Photo
Hisanaga Shimazu, Japan’s consul general in New York, submits Japan’s application to the UN (June 23, 1952).
©UN Photo/Marvin Bolotsky
Japanese representatives to the UN are shown to their seats after Japan is admitted to the UN (December 18, 1956).
©UN Photo/AF
Japan’s Contributions to the UN
Marcela Temple Seminario, the wife of UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, dressed in a kimono, together with the Japanese Kimono Cultural Mission members visiting the UN to introduce Japanese kimono culture (April 4, 1982).
©UN Photo/Milton Grant
Nagasaki City Council member Yoshiaki Fukahori (gesturing) explains an exhibit to UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar at the disarmament exhibition (far left: UN Under-Secretary-General for Public Information Yasushi Akashi and Japanese Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe) (September 28, 1983).
©UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida presides over the open debate of the UN Security Council on “Peacebuilding in Africa” (July 28, 2016).
©UN Photo/JC McIlwaine