US Ambassador Squatting In Japan

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]Yomiuri: U.S. skips paying embassy rent for 9 yrs
The United States has not paid rent for land occupied by its embassy in Tokyo since 1998, according to the Finance Ministry. The United States used to pay an annual rent of 2.5 million yen for the lease of 13,000 square meters state-owned land on which the U.S. Embassy is built in the upscale Akasaka district of Minato Ward, according to the ministry. The government proposed raising the rent--which in 1997 came to about 200 yen per square meter--starting in 1998, but Washington did not agree to the price increase and stopped paying the rent, ministry officials said..."The price is completely unfair," Foreign Minister Taro Aso said. "We'll properly examine the matter and negotiate [with the United States]"...Britain pays 35 million yen, or 1,000 yen per square meter, annually for the 35,000-square-meter block of land in the Ichibancho district of Chiyoda Ward on which its embassy sits, according to the Finance Ministry. The government owns the land in Washington on which the Japanese Embassy sits, so Japan does not pay any rent, the Foreign Ministry said.

[American Oyaji]

The issue is that the U.S. is probably not permitted to purchase the Japanese land in the same manner.

[FG Lurker]

The issue is that the U.S. is probably not permitted to purchase the Japanese land in the same manner.

Considering the cost of land in Tokyo I doubt the US would wish to purchase it...

Buying more than 3 acres of land in Tokyo?

[Mike Oxlong]

Isn't the issue the US gov't is being extremely childish in its response to the rent increase?! Refusing to pay ANY rent, for nearly 10 years! Not even continue to pay the previously acceptable amount! Just outright stop payment! Quit in a huff over a PROPOSED rent increase!

[MrUltimateGaijin]

they know japan will just bend over and ankle grab

[TFG]

Evict the buggers!

This is further proof of the US acting like the Roman Empire.
I bet they pay rent in other countries for sure.

[kurohinge1]

Don't squatters inherit the title if they stay there long enough?

Still, it is nicer than the last building the US Embassy was squatting in.



The new one has windows.

[Mulboyne]

The issue is that the U.S. is probably not permitted to purchase the Japanese land in the same manner.

I don't think that can be the issue. The Philippines discussed selling five properties in Japan a few years ago including their embassy in Roppongi, the old embassy site in Shibuya and the consulate in Kobe. Although that plan was halted, a revised scheme was approved.

There's clearly a lot going on behind the scenes. This isn't really news, though, since the story was reported 18 months ago with exactly the same details and I'm fairly certain it also appeared before that. It pops up regularly to keep the heat turned up. There are a number of ongoing spats between Japan and the US relating to money and land. Most of them come down to footing the bill for US troops. For instance, Japan believes that the US should return the helicopter base they run near the new National Art Center.

Separately, the US embassy does have disputes in other countries. They are refusing to pay congestion charges in London and have racked up a large unpaid bill to date.

I suspect other embassies get into similar situations in other countries. The Congo had an unpaid rent issue in Japan

[Socratesabroad]

[Oradea]

Fuckers

[Doctor Stop]

Shades of not paying their UN dues a few years back.

[Adhesive]

Yeah, but the U.S. foots something like a quarter of the UN's 2 billion dollar annual budget...and has also allowed Japan to flourish into an economic powerhouse post WWII without the fear of Soviet revenge for the humiliation caused them in 1905. I think the U.S. is entitled to an occasional hissy fit over rent increases.

[Tommybar]

...and has also allowed Japan to flourish into an economic powerhouse post WWII without the fear of Soviet revenge for the humiliation caused them in 1905. I think the U.S. is entitled to an occasional hissy fit over rent increases.

That is an idiotic statement, and here is why:

1) The action the US took towards Japan after WWII was and is self serving.
2) Just because I bought you a house 20 years ago does not mean I can show up after 20 years and demand to use your place as a fuck pad. Unless that was stated when the house was provided as a gift.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Man, how do I get in on some of these embassy land prices. I'd even be willing to pay those "high" rates the UK does.

[Doctor Stop]

Man, how do I get in on some of these embassy land prices. I'd even be willing to pay those "high" rates the UK does.

1. found your own micronation
2. become an IWC member state
3. vote the right way

[Adhesive]

That is an idiotic statement, and here is why:

1) The action the US took towards Japan after WWII was and is self serving.
2) Just because I bought you a house 20 years ago does not mean I can show up after 20 years and demand to use your place as a fuck pad. Unless that was stated when the house was provided as a gift.

Umm, it was a joke. But thanks for the lesson in geopolitics and property law...in fact I actually have a property midterm tomorrow, no kidding, maybe I can use this...

[Mulboyne]

Separately, the US embassy does have disputes in other countries. They are refusing to pay congestion charges in London and have racked up a large unpaid bill to date.

Japan isn't paying either.

London mayor slams Japan embassy for not paying road charge

The mayor of London has used Japan's role in the Second World War to attack its embassy in London for refusing to pay a controversial road charge. Commenting recently about Japan's decision not to contribute toward the central London congestion motoring charge, Ken Livingstone told the LBC radio station, "Admitting their guilt for all the war crimes would be one thing. So if they've not got round to doing that I doubt they're too worried about the congestion charge." Livingstone's remarks reflect growing frustration among city hall officials with several embassies not paying the congestion charge of 8 pounds ($16) per day when driving a vehicle in central London. The zone covers the city's shopping, financial and entertainment districts. A Japanese official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "Under the convention, diplomats do not have to pay taxes but do have to pay for services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided in August that the congestion charge did not represent paying for a particular service and was in fact a tax."

[kamome]

Japan isn't paying either.

London mayor slams Japan embassy for not paying road charge

The congestion charge sounds like a highway toll in the U.S., which I suppose could be characterized as a tax but does not normally fall within people's perception of a tax. The money is used to pay for upkeep of roads, which is definitely a public service.

I suppose a tax is calculated as a percentage of income or a percentage of the value of a transaction, whereas a charge for services is a flat fee that is independent of the value of the service. I'd say a road toll would be a service charge if you accept this definition.

[Blah Pete]

Singapore has had a congestion charge for years. During prime time it costs $$ to drive into the city center. Now they have the electronic scanner things and rechargable cards.

The US had a dispute with some embassies in DC not payig rent or something a while back.
In NY there was a big problem with UN related folks not paying parking fines. they would park anywhere, anytime without worry.

[Mulboyne]

Asahi: Japan seeking unpaid rent from U.S. Embassy

Japan may consider suing the U.S. Embassy over 10 years of unpaid rent on state-owned land in the heart of Tokyo, sources said. The embassy had paid the Japanese government an annual 2.5 million yen ($21,897) for the 13,000-square-meter plot in the Akasaka district of Minato Ward in the central part of the capital. But in 1998, the Japanese government proposed to gradually raise the rent to around 10 times that level. Washington strongly objected, and has since refused to pay anything. Since the statute of limitations for the 1998 rent will expire in mid-December this year, Japan has negotiated with Washington, with the possibility of a lawsuit in mind, the sources said.

A representative of the U.S. Embassy said it is continuing talks with the Japanese government and expects the matter to be resolved. A lease agreement for the government-owned land was signed by both governments in 1890. The rent went up twice, in 1974 and 1983, in accordance with inflation. Under a provision in the Civil Law, claims for rent expire in five years. However, the Japanese government, in writing, asked the embassy for the rent in December 2002, ultimately pushing the statute of limitations back to December this year. The annual 2.5-million-yen rent for a prime location close to the Diet building and government ministries is "certainly a bargain," according to a source in the real estate business.

In comparison, the rent for the 35,000-square-meter plot of state-owned land where the British Embassy sits in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward is an annual 35 million yen ($306,574). The U.S. and British embassies are two of four embassies in Japan that are located on state-owned land. The Japanese government's position is that it "cannot make an easy compromise at a time of financial difficulties, although the relationship with the United States is naturally important," an official said. There is the possibility that the two sides might compromise on a political level. But if the two governments fail to reach common ground before the statute of limitations expires, legal action may take place between Tokyo and Washington.

[American Oyaji]

How much does Japan pay for its embassy space in the US?

[Greji]

Asahi: Japan seeking unpaid rent from U.S. Embassy

There is apparantly a backside to these negotiations that is supposedly not being discussed in the J-media. During the 1970's, when the US gave up its old Embassy site and the new one was constructed, they also gave up the Embassy Annex where all the consular services took place. It was on Sotobori right across the street from the JT Building and the old NCR building at what is now the corner for the access street to the new embassy compound.

Some people I know claim that in order to get the US to move, so that they could secure the old property and move the embassy to the new site, certain commitments/promises were made by the Japanese Government that apparently have not been fulfilled to date, which has led to the current standoff.

As most long term Yank residents are aware, the property for the Annex was not subsequently used by the Japanese Government, but instead, has been commercially developed, which would of puts a question on why the Government of Japan so desperately needed the property from the onset.

I have no idea about the veracity of these claims, nor as to what these promises might have been, but maybe there is someone on the board who might have heard more on this story and could enlighten us. At any rate, it is quite possibly an interesting twist to how the story is being presented by the Japan side.

[gkanai]

Wow, add another problem to the long list of issues between the US and Japan.

My friend in the relevant Japanese government entity tells me that it hasn't been this bad between the US and Japan in some time. There's no good news to discuss, only problems and issues and barriers.

[fucked]

Who cares about some missing rent money? You, even if you are not an American, know that the Japan will beg the US to come to its aid if North Korea, China, etc attack it. All the Japanese "Self-Defense Forces" can do is play golf and pump gas.

[Iraira]

That is an idiotic statement, and here is why:
2) Just because I bought you a house 20 years ago does not mean I can show up after 20 years and demand to use your place as a fuck pad. Unless that was stated when the house was provided as a gift.

If I can get some sloppy seconds, I might consider it.

[sublight]

How much does Japan pay for its embassy space in the US?

Nothing, apparently. They own the land their embassy sits on outright.

Consulates are another matter. I know the one in Boston is rented office space. No idea how much, though.

[hundefar]

Who cares about some missing rent money? You, even if you are not an American, know that the Japan will beg the US to come to its aid if North Korea, China, etc attack it. All the Japanese "Self-Defense Forces" can do is play golf and pump gas.

HEY! I Resent that. Please remember that the MSDF are pretty good dancers.

[Greji]

You, even if you are not an American, know that the Japan will beg the US to come to its aid if North Korea, China, etc attack it. All the Japanese "Self-Defense Forces" can do is play golf and pump gas.

That maybe true now with the LDP, but if the yatto get in with Ozawa Ichiro spouting of a while back that the US must apologize for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we might see a different playing field! I know his remarks were not lost on certain parties in the US.

[omae mona]

[GomiGirl]

WOW - still the rent seems kinda cheap though. But at least something is better than nothing.

Betcha there are going to be some fun government Bonenkais paid out of that lump sum.