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."

Tanaka said the move, which began this month, is interfering with preparations for a two-day international conference on Afghan reconstruction that is scheduled to start Monday in Tokyo. The conference will also coincide with the opening of the next ordinary Diet session.

"There are many diplomatic issues to tackle, and the situation is restless at this time with the main offices undergoing construction," the foreign minister said.

Tanaka also said she is concerned about the longer distance to the Diet building. The original facility, a four-building complex in Chiyoda Ward, is only about half a kilometer from the Diet.

"I want the work (on the makeshift office) at the original ministry to be completed as early as possible so I can work there because it takes so much time just to get here," she said.

Ministry officials said that because of the main facility does not have to be renovated, they are expediting the creation of a makeshift office there for Tanaka.

Tanaka also suggested she would be uncomfortable in the new facility because she is afraid of heights.

The Foreign Ministry has eight floors, with Tanaka's office on the third.

But the temporary ministry occupies the first 24 floors of a 30-story building. Tanaka's office will be on the 17th floor.

She has also recommended the ministry run shuttle buses between the temporary ministry and the original so her officials can coordinate better with her.

The renovation to the original is expected to take about 2 1/2 years.