Embassy of the United States in Tokyo
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The Embassy of the United States in Tokyo, along with consulates general in Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Naha, provides assistance to American citizens and issues visas to foreign nationals (Japanese and legal residents in Japan) who wish to visit or immigrate to the United States.
Currently, James P. Zumwalt serves as Chargés d’affaires ad interim in the embassy. On May 27, President Obama announced[1] his intent to nominate John V. Roos, the CEO of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and one of Obama's top fundraisers during his presidential campaign, as the next Ambassador to Japan.
The current embassy building was designed by African American architect Norma Merrick Sklarek and completed in 1976.
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[edit] Location
The embassy is located in the fashionable Akasaka neighborhood of Minato, Tokyo, steps away from the Nagatachō district, home of the Japanese legislature and the Prime Minister's residence. The address is 1-10-5, Akasaka, Minato-ku Post Code: 107-8420 [2]. It is easily accessible via the Tokyo Metro Ginza or Namboku Lines Tameike-Sannō Station and conveniently located to the Hotel Okura.
[edit] History
[edit] Previous US missions in Japan
The United States established its first legation in Tokyo in 1859 under Townsend Harris. This legation was located at Zenpukuji, a Buddhist temple in the Motoazabu neighborhood of southern Tokyo.
In 1875, the legation was moved to a site on the Sumida River near Tsukiji, in an area slated as a district for foreigners outside the employ of the Japanese government; this site is now occupied by the St. Luke's Garden Tower complex.
The legation moved to the current embassy site in 1890.[3]
In January 1906, following Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War, Japan and the U.S. mutually elevated their legates to the rank of ambassador. Several European powers did so at the same time, indicating a perception of equality between Japan and the major Western powers.[4]
[edit] World War II
The US Embassy was closed shortly following the Pearl Harbor attack on December 8, 1941. Its American employees (including military attaches) were interned on the embassy grounds until June 1942, when they were sent by ship to Portuguese East Africa and handed over for repatriation.[5]
The embassy remained closed during the Allied occupation, as the US and Japan were still technically at war. It reopened on April 28, 1952 following restoration of diplomatic relations under the Treaty of San Francisco.[6]
[edit] Rent payment issue
The land on which the embassy sits is about 13,000 m² (3.21 acres), and is leased from the Japanese government. In 2007, the Yomiuri Shinbun reported that the US government has made no payments for the embassy's premises since 1998. Foreign minister Taro Aso said that the average rent was only 2,500,000 yen (less than USD22,000; 16¢ per square foot) per year from 1993 to 1997. He also said this is clearly unfair behavior and the Foreign Ministry has initiated an investigation.[7][8]
[edit] References
- ^ John V. Roos, Nominee for Ambassador to Japan
- ^ http://www.pacificprime.com/countries/japan/embassies.php#U
- ^ http://navi.ag-aoyama.com/14206legationmemorial.htm
- ^ http://www.mofa.go.jp/MOFAJ/annai/honsho/shiryo/qa/sonota_02.html
- ^ Henri Smith-Hutton, "American Prisoners in Japan," in Paul Stillwell, Air raid, Pearl Harbor! (Naval Institute Press, 1981)
- ^ http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/themes/japan
- ^ "米国大使館、９８年以降土地賃貸料を日本側に支払わず". Yomiuri Shinbun. 2007-03-16. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20070316i213.htm. Retrieved on 2007-03-20 (Japanese)
- ^ "Japan seeks rent from U.S. Embassy". Asahi Shimbun. 2007-10-30. http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200710300083.html. Retrieved on 2007-11-02 (English)
[edit] External links
- tokyo.usembassy.gov United States Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates: 35°40′07″N 139°44′36″E / 35.66861°N 139.74328°E
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