As one of original member countries of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Japan and the ILO have long-standing relationship dating back to 1919. Soon after its creation, ILO opened a branch office in Tokyo in November 1923. Although the office had been closed during the withdrawal of Japan from the ILO for the period of 1940-51, it has been reestablished soon after country's readmission to the organization.

Decent work is actively promoted by tripartite constituents in Japan to implement the Asian Decent Work Decade (2006-2015), launched by 14th Asian Regional Meeting held in Busan in 2006. Decent Work National Plan of Action towards realization of decent work in Japan has been jointly prepared in 2007 by Japanese government, employer and worker members of the ILO Governing Body, ILO Office in Japan and the ILO Association of Japan, Inc., non-profit organization working to disseminate ILO values and principles in the country. In addition, ILO Office in Japan developed Decent Work Country Programme 2007-09 as guiding framework for ILO activities in the country, in consultation with government, social partners and ILO Association of Japan.

more >