FCDO agrees partial sale of British Embassy Tokyo estate

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has agreed the sale of a section of the British Embassy compound in central Tokyo, currently being used mainly for staff accommodation.

The proceeds of the sale will go towards making the Embassy more modern and sustainable, including through solar panels and improving energy efficiency, and to upgrading the FCDO’s wider diplomatic estate in New Delhi and elsewhere.

An FCDO Spokesperson said:

The proceeds of this sale will contribute towards making our Embassies in Tokyo, New Delhi and the wider Indo-Pacific region some of the most modern and environmentally friendly diplomatic buildings in the world. By constantly reviewing the set up of our 270 overseas missions we can deliver value for money for British taxpayers while we promote the UK’s interests around the world.

The land is being bought by Mitsubishi Estate Group. Exact terms of the transaction, including sale price, are confidential at this stage.

The FCDO continually reviews its global estate, in order to maintain a world-class platform from which to promote UK interests, while maximising value for money to the British taxpayer.

Notes to Editors

• The FCDO is responsible for the UK’s overseas diplomatic estate. The estate is highly diverse, comprising around 5,400 properties.

• The estate is a platform for One HMG: around 30 different government departments work out of the buildings that includes Embassies, High Commissions and Ambassadors’ Residences, as well as staff accommodation, in around 270 overseas locations.