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ILO and Japan (in Japanese) |
Welcome to this exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the re-opening of the ILO's Office in Japan.
Japan was a founding member of the ILO and it has played a key role in the Organization's history. The ILO's tripartite structure is unique in the multilateral system. Japan is one of the 10 permanent government members of the ILO's Governing Body. Japanese employer and worker representatives also currently hold Governing Body seats.
The ILO has benefited from Japan's commitment to multilateralism. Japan has actively engaged in the life of the ILO promoting its values and championing its role in promoting peace and stability through the world of work. The work of the ILO's executive bodies has been greatly enriched by Japan's vision and insight as well as by its practical perspectives.
With long standing support from Japan, the ILO has been able to assist many countries, particularly in the Asian region, on world of work issues. The ILO/Japan technical cooperation programme has focused on promoting international labour standards, strengthening labour administration; promoting sound industrial relations systems as well as employment creation and vocational training. We have worked together to tackle the challenge of child labour and Japan has consistently supported initiatives to promote gender equality.
Japan has been instrumental in developing and globally advancing the concept of human security as the basis of human dignity and social stability. The quest for peace, social justice and security is commonly also a quest for human dignity. Japan has underscored the urgent need to deal with threats to human lives, livelihoods and dignity.
The ILO has always held that labour is not a commodity. When workers have decent work - rights, work itself, social protection and voice, they can work in dignity and they and their families can live in dignity. And the decent work agenda is based on dialogue and consensus-building, key building blocks to social stability. Human security calls for strategies to end poverty and social exclusion. Decent work is the only sustainable route out of poverty. This link between human security and decent work has provided a further basis for reinforcing the cooperation between Japan and the ILO.
To all of you visiting this exhibition - thank you for your interest in the ILO. We greatly appreciate your friendship and support.
Juan Somavia