Overseas Real Estate: Inaction on Proposals to Sell High-Value Property in Tokyo
NSIAD-95-73
Published: Apr 07, 1995. Publicly Released: Apr 07, 1995.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of State's management of U.S.-owned real estate overseas, focusing on: (1) various proposals to dispose of some U.S. properties in Tokyo, Japan; (2) why some of these proposals have not been implemented; and (3) actions that State needs to take to facilitate its overseas property disposition.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Treasury | The Secretary of the Treasury should sell the Treasury House and deposit the proceeds in the general funds of the Treasury. |
Closed – Implemented
In June 1998, State reported that it sold the Treasury House for $3.1 million.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should sell the Deputy Chief of Mission property and provide the Deputy Chief of Mission alternative housing. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The agency has rejected this option because the embassy desires to retain this property for representational purposes.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should ensure that a plan is prepared and implemented for the Mitsui compound identifying the Tokyo embassy's current and future facilities needs and how the compound can be used to meet those needs. The plan should consider: (1) providing housing for the Deputy Chief of Mission; (2) providing housing for other agencies' employees, which would save the U.S. government the annual lease costs that are currently $4 million to $5 million; (3) consolidating on the compound, to the extent feasible, other government facilities in Japan, such as the language training facility in Yokohama, which would result in savings to the U.S. government; and (4) exploring opportunities to sell or lease portions of the compound and to use the proceeds for other needs. |
Closed – Not Implemented
State believes that there is no suitable alternative and further study is unnecessary.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Americans employed abroadBudget authorityEmbassiesFederal property managementHousingInteragency relationsProperty depreciationProperty disposalReal estate leasesReal estate sales