The United Nations University was established in Tokyo in 1975 and is the academic arm of the United Nations. The United Nations University functions as the think tank of the United Nation and its mission is to generate cross-cultural, science based techniques, methods, research and policies essential to important global issues including sustainable growth and the assistance of developing countries.

Tokyo was chosen as the headquarters of the United Nations University, which reflects the Japanese government's commitment to the goals of the UN. The Government of Japan pledged one hundred million dollars to establish the UNU Endowment Fund in the early 1970's. The UNU moved to its permanent headquarters in 1992, in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

The first priority program areas for The United Nations University were human and social development, natural resources and world hunger. UNU undertakes research into global issues pertaining to the development, survival and welfare of humans. Today the five sectors that the United Nations University pursues are:

Science, Technology, Innovation and Society
Global Health, Population and Sustainable Livelihoods
Human and Socio-economic Development and Good Governance
Global Change and Sustainable Development
Peace, Security and Human Rights

The United Nations University aims to build on its current list of postgraduate programs and extend the scope of its global network in order to recruit further graduate students and leading academics. There are fifteen United Nations University institutes and programs situated in thirteen countries around the world.

The United Nations University is located in Tokyo with its administrative office in Shibuya-ku.