Public Diplomacy
Cooperation with International Organizations (UNESCO,UNU)
There is also renewed awareness within the international community of the role that factors such as culture and education can play in bringing about stability and prosperity to the entire international community. This awareness is fostered through discussions on the promotion of education to empower people in the fight against poverty and the role of culture in development.
On the basis of this awareness, the Government of Japan actively supports UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the United Nations University, which carry out activities in the fields of culture, education and science.
1. Cooperation with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
UNESCO was founded in 1946 as a specialized agency of the United Nations based on the ideal that peace must be founded upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind. Since its foundation, UNESCO has worked continually to promote world peace through international cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. Japan joined UNESCO in 1951.
Mr. Matsuura Koichiro, the first ever Director-General of UNESCO from Asia, was appointed in 1999. His appointment was renewed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2005 for a second term, which expired in November 2009. During his tenure, he promoted reforms of UNESCO such as decentralization as well as organizational and programme reform. The Member States including Japan highly appreciate his efforts and after the period of his successor, Ms.Irina Bokova (for 8 years, from November 2009 to November 2017), Ms. Audrey Azoulay was appointed as a new Director-General in November 2017 and she also presents the importance of further reforms of UNESCO. Japan will continue its active support to these efforts.
What’s New
- Meeting between Foreign Minister IWAYA and H.E. Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO (May 2, 2025)
- Inscription of “Traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (Statement by Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi) (December 5, 2024)
- Inscription of “Traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (December 5, 2024)
- Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ms. IKUINA’s visit to Sado City, Niigata Prefecture (November 25, 2024)
- Statement by the Japanese Delegation on the occasion of the deliberation of “Sado Island Gold Mines” at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO (July 27, 2024)
- The inscription of "Sado Island Gold Mines" on the World Heritage List (Statement by Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko) (July 27, 2024)
- Inscription of the “Sado Island Gold Mines” on the World Heritage List (Decision at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO) (July 27, 2024)
- The Return of the U.S. to UNESCO (Statement by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa) (July 12, 2023)
- Courtesy Call on Prime Minister KISHIDA by H.E. Ms.Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the UNESCO (January 9, 2023)
- Inscription of “Furyu-odori: Ritual Dances Imbued with People’s Hopes and Prayers” on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (Statement by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa) (November 30, 2022)
- Inscription of “Furyu-odori: Ritual Dances Imbued with People’s Hopes and Prayers” on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (November 30, 2022)
2. Cooperation with the United Nations University
The United Nations University (UNU) is one of the UN entities established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 with the mandate to conduct “research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare”, and commenced its activities in 1975 with its headquarter in Tokyo. In 1976, Japan and the United Nations signed the Agreement Regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations University.
As a global network of institutes, and the only UN entity headquartered in Japan, UNU is home to outstanding academics from around the world. UNU works with leading universities and research institutes in UN Member States and serves as the think tank for the UN System, providing policymakers with high-quality, evidence-based research and pragmatic advice.
Construction of the UNU Headquarters building, which was completed in 1992, was carried out with the full cooperation of the Government of Japan, which also provides various types of support for the University’s management and academic research.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to continue its support for research activities addressing global problems, capacity development, and dissemination of knowledge being carried out by UNU under the following research themes:
- Peace and Security,
- Social Change and Economic Development
- Environment, Climate, and Energy