2015.10.01
Comcast takeover of USJ casts shadow on Okinawa plan
Comcast, an American mass media company and the largest cable and broadcast company in the U.S. and the world, announced Monday that it is going to acquire a controlling stake in the management company of the Universal Studios Japan, based in Osaka, for $1.5 billion.
According to the deal, Comcast will obtain 51 percent of the shares, and have a controlling interest in the management company of the USJ. As a part of the deal, the current USJ President, Glenn Gumpel, is scheduled to leave his post by the end of November.
Regarding the new theme park construction plan in Okinawa, Gumpel said, “At the moment we can’t say anything more about the plan. A decision whether to pursue the project is going to be made in the near future.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference on Monday that the national government continues to maintain cooperation with the USJ, and stressed that the project is sure to contribute to revitalization of the economy of Okinawa if the USJ proceeds with the plan of a new theme park in Okinawa.
-
TCCORnet