From 22 October 2026 to 29 January 2027, UNU is hosting the exhibition "Shared Lives, Shared Future: The United Nations in Our Everyday Lives", a special exhibition to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japan’s admission to the United Nations. The exhibition is co-organized by the United Nations Information Centre, Tokyo (UNIC Tokyo) and UNU. This is a touring exhibition, which will start from UNU in October and travel across Japan throughout 2027.
It may come as a surprise how the activities of the United Nations impact daily life. In fact, the UN has contributed to many of the things we take for granted in our everyday lives — from mobile communication and healthcare to the global postal system and international travel. No matter where we live, our lives are inextricably linked to the work of the United Nations.
These links were recently showcased at the UN Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which was produced under the theme “United for a Better Future”. One of the areas of the UN Pavilion that drew the most attention was the Orb Room, which displayed everyday objects that represented the work of the UN family around the world. Building on this legacy, the "Shared Lives, Shared Future” photo exhibition highlights the impact of the UN’s work on our lives through inspiring portraits and stories.
“Shared Lives, Shared Future” was originally launched in 2025 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, through an exhibition at UN Headquarters in New York, as well as a virtual exhibition. Since then, “Shared Lives, Shared Future” has been exhibited around the world, from Ankara to Warsaw. This touring exhibition in Japan has been curated to feature photos that are especially relevant to Japan, among submissions from across the UN System from 193 countries.
Venue
The exhibition is located on the second floor of the United Nations University Headquarters in Tokyo. Admission is free and open to all. Pre-registration is not required.
Opening hours
Weekdays during 22 October 2026 – 29 January 2027, 10:00–17:00
The exhibition may be partially or fully inaccessible on the following days due to events being held in adjacent spaces: 1–4 Dec, 16 Dec, 18 Dec
Please check this webpage for the latest information.
About the 70th anniversary of Japan’s Admission to the United Nations
On 18 December 1956, Japan joined the United Nations as its 80th Member State. 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s admission to the United Nations. Since joining the United Nations, Japan has worked with the Organization to address various global issues in a wide range of areas including peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, development, health, education and the environment.
About UNIC Tokyo
As a unit of the United Nations Secretariat, the United Nations Information Centre, Tokyo (UNIC Tokyo) directly reports to the United Nations Department of Global Communications, which is responsible for communicating the Organization's work, philosophy and many activities to the general public in various local languages. In addition to providing information in Japanese and planning and organizing a variety of events, UNIC Tokyo is working with media and educational institutions to promote understanding of the diverse global issues addressed by the United Nations. UNIC Tokyo is also responsible for working with as many as 30 UN entities present in Japan to distribute public information.
To learn more, visit: https://www.unic.or.jp/
