Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan (ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン?), located in Osaka, is one of four Universal Studios theme parks, owned and operated by USJ Co., Ltd. with a license from NBCUniversal The park is similar to Universal Orlando Resort, since it also contains selected attractions from Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Most visitors are Japanese tourists and tourists from other Asian countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. In 2005 Goldman Sachs became the largest shareholder in Universal Studios Japan. The park opened on March 31, 2001. Universal Studios Japan reached the milestone of attracting the first 10 million visitors faster than any other theme park in the world. Total 11 million guests visited Universal Studios Japan in its first year of operation. USJ is believed to have attracted 8.8 million visitors in fiscal year 2011, though the company does not officially disclose the number. Number of visitors had been in a downtrend after the highest attendance was recorded in the first year. FY 2011 was the 10th anniversary year and various commemorative events were implemented one after another. As a result, attendance in the year achieved growth from the previous year’s approx. 8 million. Universal Studios Japan greeted its 100 millionth visitor on October 29, 2012, Monday, since its opening in 2001. According to 2011Theme Index Global Attraction Attendance Report, Universal Studios Japan is ranked the 9th place among the Top 25 Amusement/theme parks worldwide, attracting 8.5 million visitors in the calendar year 2011, which is 4.2% larger than in the previous year.