UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.

UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to implement these standards. It stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on five priority areas: increasing women’s leadership and participation; ending violence against women; engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and making gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality.

In September 2013, Prime Minister Abe, in his address to the General Assembly of the United Nations, expressed his intention to create “a society in which women shine,” and stated that Japan respects the activities of UN Women and intends to become one of its leading contributors, and thus, an exemplary country in the area. He continued that Japan would also work closely with relevant international organizations. In September 2014, Japan hosted “The World Assembly for Women in Tokyo: WAW! Tokyo 2014”, in which Under-Secretary General, UN Women Executive Director, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, was a participant. During her visit to Japan, the Executive Director met Japanese leaders in various fields. As part of a deepening of ties between Japan and UN Women, UN Women Japan Liaison Office was established at Bunkyo Civic Center in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan in April 2015.

UN Women Japan Liaison Office is the only liaison office set up in the Asian region. It works on extending policy dialogue, holding lectures and public events, and building partnerships. It collaborates with various actors, such as the government, parliamentarians, private enterprises, academics, civil society and women’s groups, media and others to keep them informed about UN Women’s work and role with regards to gender equality and women’s empowerment.