The Japanese Peace Bell was cast in 1952 and was presented as a gift to the United Nations on 8 June 1954, from the UN Association of Japan, UNAJ as a chapter in WFUNA. The bell was cast from coins donated by delegates of 60 nations who attended the 13th General Conference of the United Nations Association (UNA) held in Paris, France in 1951.  
 
The bell is a symbol of peace and on its side are eight Japanese characters that say, “Long live absolute world peace.”  
The bell is housed in a wooden structure resembling a traditional Shinto shrine made from Japanese Cypress. 

The bell was presented to the UN by Mr. Renzo Sawanda, Japanese observer to the UN, in 1954 who stated that "The bell embodies the aspiration for peace not only of the Japanese but of the peoples of the entire world. Thus, it symbolized the universality of the United Nations." 
 
The Japanese Peace Bell is traditionally rung twice a year. It is tolled on the first day of spring at the vernal equinox, in celebration of the annual Earth Day. On every opening day of the General Assembly in September it is also tolled, coinciding with the International Day of Peace.