Japan has been a member of the World Bank since 1952. A number of projects were implemented in Japan with World Bank loans for the development of the nation’s economic foundation, such as electric power generation, basic industries development, transportation, water, and infrastructure.
Japan graduated from borrower status in 1967 and has since strengthened its status at the World Bank. In 1984, Japan became the second largest shareholder of the World Bank, gaining a greater voice as one of its most important partners. In 2012, moving toward recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan again became the hosting nation for the Annual Meetings. As part of intellectual contributions from Japan to the world, topics of the Meetings include lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and Global Health based on Japan’s experience of universal health insurance for more than 50 years.
The Executive Director and staff represent the interests of Japan for considering and deciding on IBRD loan and guarantee proposals and IDA credit, grant and guarantee proposals made by the President, and decisions on policies that guide the Bank's general operations.
In addition, this office has the responsibilities of presenting to the Board of Governors, presenting at the Annual Meetings, providing an audit of accounts, and creating an administrative budget and annual report of the Bank's operations and policies.
