The mission of the Japan Center at the University of West Florida is to foster stronger ties between the U.S. and Japan through educational, cultural and business programs.   Under this mission, the Center operates the activities of the Florida-Japan Linkage Institute, the Jikei-American Center , the UWF Japan House and the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida.  

The Center also executes credit and non-credit Japanese language instructions. Additionally, the Center plays an active role in promoting the sister-state relationship between the state of Florida and the prefecture of Wakayama in Japan as well as promoting the sister-city relationship between the city of Pensacola in Florida and the city of Gero in Japan.