Economic Diplomacy
The 60th Anniversary of Japan’s Accession to the OECD
Courtesy call on Prime Minister KISHIDA by Mr. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD at the OECD Headquarters(May 2024) (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Family photo at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting(May 2024) (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Japan’s accession to the OECD. In 1964, Japan became the first Asian country to join the OECD. Since then, Japan has further opened its economy by way of liberalisation in line with the OECD Codes of Liberalisation of Capital Movements and of Current Invisible Operations, and this resulted in Japan’s economic growth supported by free trade and investment.
Japan chaired the 2024 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) in this milestone year. The OECD Ministerial Council Meeting is held once a year at the ministerial level, and it is the most important meeting of the OECD's highest decision-making body, the Council. This was the third time that Japan assumed the Chair since joining the OECD, following the first two in 1978 and 2014.
The 2024 OECD MCM was held in Paris on May 2 and 3. As the Chair of this meeting, Japan led discussions to maintain and expand a rules-based free and fair economic order under the theme of “Co-creating the Flow of Change: Leading Global Discussions with Objective and Reliable Approaches towards Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”.
Events related to the 60th anniversary of Japan's accession to the OECD and the 2024 MCM
| Date | Events | Place | Relevant Ministries and Agencies | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 11 | Yamagata Rural Innovation Seminar (Japanese only) |
Yamagata, Japan | Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yamagata Prefecture |
| 2 | March 14 | Consultation Meeting with BIAC and TUAC for the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting 2024 | Tokyo, Japan | Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare |
| 3 | March 14-15 | Tokyo Roundtable on Capital Market and Financial Reform in Asia |
Tokyo, Japan | Ministry of Finance Financial Services Agency |
| 4 | March 15 | Presentation of the Recommendation by the Japan Business Federation to Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko upon the 60th anniversary of Japan’s accession to the OECD | Tokyo, Japan | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| 5 | March 15 | Parliamentary Vice-Minister HOSAKA Yasushi received a courtesy call by Mr. Charles Rick Johnston Chair of Business at OECD (BIAC) | Tokyo, Japan | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| 6 | April 11 | Government action for developing high integrity carbon markets: Keeping momentum in 2024 (webinar) |
Online | Ministry of the Environment |
| 7 | May 2-3 | OECD Ministerial Council Meeting 2024 | Paris, France | Related government ministries and agencies |
| 8 | July 25 | Seminar on Gender and Transport (Japanese only) |
Tokyo, Japan | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism |
Links related to the 60th anniversary of Japan's accession to the OECD
- "OECD and Japan Celebrating 60 Years of Membership” (Leaflet) (English (PDF)
/ Japanese (PDF) ) - Prime Minister Kishida and Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s articles contributed to the Japan Times (May 2, 2024) (English (PDF) / Japanese)
- Signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with OECD: Strengthening collaboration for the economic and social development in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region (April 30, 2024) (JICA’s website: English/Japanese)
- Meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji and OECD Secretary-General Cormann (January 11, 2024)
- Minister Saito Holds Meeting with OECD Secretary-General Cormann (January 10, 2024)
- Courtesy Call on Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI by Mr. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD (January 10,2024)