The seventh Japan–ILO annual strategic consultation

GENEVA (ILO News) – On 10 June 2026, during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, the Government of Japan and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held the High-Level Session of the Seventh Japan–ILO Annual Strategic Consultation in Geneva, Switzerland.

The session brought together senior officials from both sides. From Japan: Mr. Yasumasa Nagasaka, State Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare; H.E. Mr. Atsuyuki Oike, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva; and Mr. Shinichi Akiyama, Assistant Minister for International Labour Affairs, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. From the ILO: Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General; Ms. Beate Andrees, Director of the Director-General’s Office; and Ms. Kaori Nakamura-Osaka, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, among others.

Against the backdrop of major changes in the world of work driven by technological innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI), the participants shared the importance of ensuring decent work and exchanged views on development cooperation in the field of labour, as well as compliance with international labour standards and the ratification of the fundamental ILO Conventions.

Both sides acknowledged Japan’s important contributions to the ILO, in terms of human resources, financial support, and policy engagement. They confirmed their commitment to advancing the shared objectives of social justice, decent work, and inclusive growth.

As part of this year’s Strategic Consultation, the Human Resources Session (8 June), the Development Cooperation Session (11 June), and the International Labour Standards Session (13 July) were also held among relevant policy officials. These sessions provided opportunities for substantive exchanges in line with the same overall direction confirmed at the High-Level Session.

Background of the Japan–ILO Annual Strategic Consultation

The Japan–ILO Annual Strategic Consultation is held under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in May 2017 between then Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Mr. Shiozaki and then ILO Director-General Mr. Guy Ryder.

Previous Annual Strategic Consultations:

1. The first consultation in June 2018 at ILO Headquarters in Geneva (Japanese)
2. The second consultation in January 2019 in Tokyo (Japanese)
3. The third consultation in December 2020 in online format (Japanese)
4. The fourth consultation in April 2023 in Tokyo and Kurashiki (Japanese)
5. The fifth consultation in June 2024 at ILO Headquarters in Geneva (Japanese)
6. The sixth consultation in August 2025 in Tokyo (Japanese), (English)