Japan joined the United Nations in 1956 and actively participates in the United Nations social and economic activities. Japan attained the status of an economic superpower in the 1970's and has since then played an increasingly large role in the United Nations. Japan is the second largest provider of assessed financial contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping operations, contributing 12.530 percent of the UN budget. Japan and has assisted with peacekeeping missions to Afghanistan, Namibia, Iraq and Iran.

The Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations was established in 1956 and has assisted the country in achieving its foreign policy goals by representing the Government of Japan. The Permanent Mission is comprised of five sections which include:

The Economic Section - which handles environmental and developmental issues, reconstruction aid and liaises with the United Nations International Children's Fund and the United Nations Development Program
The Coordination Section - which is responsible for liaising with the Secretary General, protocol and security issues, communication and media outreach.
The Political Section - which is responsible for matters of international justice, peacekeeping operations, disarmament and regional issues before the Security Council.
The Administrative, Budgetary and United Nations Recruitment Section - which is responsible for handling negotiations regarding the UN budget and assessment rates.
The Social Section - which is responsible for addressing human rights, security and humanitarian aid issues.

In addition to being a Member of the United Nations, Japan is also a member of the Asian Development Bank, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.