This year marks the 60th anniversary of Japan’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Japan joined the OECD on 28 April 1964 and was the first Asian country to do so, symbolising its recovery in the period following World War II. Japan has achieved high economic growth by introducing capital liberalisation and taking into account policy coordination through the OECD.

Japan’s share of the total OECD budget contributions is 9.0% as of 2023, making it the second largest financial contributor after the US (19.1%). Japan also plays an active role as a leading member of the OECD. The Permanent Mission of Japan to the OECD currently has about 40 staff members.

The Japanese Delegation attends a variety of formal and informal meetings held at the OECD headquarters in Paris on behalf of the Japanese government and is responsible for coordinating policies with other countries aimed at advancing Japan’s national interests. Furthermore, the delegation monitors the work of the OECD’s various committees as well as the activities of the International Transport Forum (ITF), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC), of which Japan is a member.

This year is also important for Japan as it will assume the chairmanship of the OECD Ministerial Council to be held on 2-3 May, 20 years after its most recent chairmanship in 2014. The main topics expected to be on the agenda include the promotion of free trade, AI, digital areas, and sustainable and inclusive economies and societies. It is anticipated that Prime Minister Kishida will discuss economic policies such as overcoming deflation and encourage Southeast Asian nations, which regard economic ties with China as important, to join the OECD. Southeast Asian nations hold an important role as strengthening relations with the Global South is crucial for addressing global challenges, as stated at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.