Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka got her first glimpse Tuesday of a temporary high-rise facility she and her staff will use while the ministry undergoes renovation.
The temporary facility, near Tokyo Tower in Minato Ward, is 16 stories higher and more than 2 km away from the original, which is being reinforced against earthquakes. The new commute, combined with the approach of a high-profile conference and an apparent fear of heights, have the combative foreign minister worried.
"Looking from the outside, in the event of an earthquake, the windows look fragile," Tanaka said as she entered the building for the first time. "I feel I became foreign minister at an unfortunate time."