Ministry of Foreign Affairs is conducting investigation ahead of deciding renovation plan of overseas diplomatic facilities such as Embassies, Consulates and Ambassadors’ residents. Engineers and architects of private sectors started on-site investigation at about 190 government-owned facilities in September. After the completion in 2017, the Ministry will calculate the total cost for renovation for next 50 years in order to prolong the durability.

About 60% of all the diplomatic facilities have been built for more than 30 years. The ministry considers it is necessary to plan ahead on repairing the building and facilities to maintain their condition with limited budget. 38 places are to be examined this year. 25 of them in Asia and North, Central and South America are conducted by Sato Facilities Consultants Inc. and 13 in Europe, Middle East and Africa by Nikken Sekkei Construction Management Inc. Based on results of the investigation, the Ministry will decide the long-term repair plan. (2013/10/23)