The reason for the legation's creation had much to do with anti-Asian feeling in the Canadian province of British Columbia during the first half of the 20th century.

At the basement level, the embassy hosts a public art gallery, a library, and the 233-seat Oscar Peterson Theatre.

[6] The Mitsubishi Trust and the Banking Corporation was chosen to be in charge of the project's finances, design, and construction.

[3] Mitsubishi, in exchange, would receive all the revenue from the leasable commercial spaces in the embassy until they obtained the money they invested.

[6] The program layout is split into two functions: the embassy on the top floors and the leased office spaces located on the bottom half.

[3] While most of the building is private, there are certain places visitors can see, like the Gardens, Prince Takamando Memorial Gallery, Oscar Peterson Theatre, and the E.H Norman Library.

[10] He is the head priest of the Zen temple in Yokoyama, who still practices the traditional garden design of ishitateso.

[10] In the garden are three pyramid shaped rocks in which show the mountains bordering the Canadian shield’s western edge.

[10] An Inukshuk created by Kananginak Pootoogook from Cape Dorset, is located the far-right hand side of the garden.

[10] The Prince Takamando Memorial Gallery is located on the second basement level with 7800 square feet of exhibition space.

[11] The Oscar Peterson Theater is located on level B2 and has 233 seats in which showcases concerts, screenings, lectures/seminars, and conferences.

[3] The room was inspired by the early Noh theatre, where in the 17th century actors performed under the open skies in the glow of torch light.

[8] There is a bronze sculpture designed by Ted Bieler called ‘Wave Breaking’ in which references the rocky shores of the Atlantic coast.

[8] ‘Wave’ by Maryon Kantaroff is another bronze sculpture representing the Pacific Ocean, connecting the two cultures of Japan and Canada.