IN QUEST OF A NEW ROLE
United Nations and Japan

The United Nations and Japan's Role

For more than fifty years, the United Nations has helped to prevent global conflict and to enhance the economic and social welfare of its Member States. At the dawn of the new millennium, however, conflicts and misery still exist.
Thus the role of the United Nations is even greater as our interdependence grows with the steady advancement of technology and information.
Japan has, ever since its accession to the United Nations in 1956, attached great importance to UN activities and has made its commitment to the United Nations one of the main pillars of its foreign policy.
Japan intends to further enhance its cooperation with the United Nations and to play an even more active role for world peace and prosperity in the years ahead.

We hope that this pamphlet will allow as many readers as possible to have a better understanding of Japan's position on the main issues related to our role in the United Nations.

The San Francisco conference was the stage for the signing ceremony marking the birth of the United Nations (1945). ((c) UN/DPI)

The Japanese flag was hoisted in front of the UN Headquarters when Japan was admitted (1956). ((c) UN/DPI)

Contents

1. Japan's Role in the Maintenance of International Peace and Security
   Conflict Prevention
   Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
   UN Peacekeeping Operations
2. Japan's Role in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects Development
   Global Environmental Issues and Drugs
   Human Rights
   Refugee Assistance
   Culture and Education
3. Reform of the United Nations