Comcast NBCUniversal buys controlling stake in Universal Studios Japan

Comcast NBCUniversal, the parent company of Universal Studios Hollywood, announced Monday that it is acquiring majority ownership of Universal Studios Japan in a $1.5-billion deal.

The Osaka, Japan, theme park, which opened in 2001, has been owned by mulitiple investors, including Goldman Sachs and U.S. hedge fund Owl Creek Asset Management. The park has a license from NBCUniversal to operate rides and attractions such as Jurassic Park -- the Ride, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

In a statement, NBCUniversal executives said the move to acquire a 51% interest is part of a larger strategy to invest in park upgrades and take advantage of projected theme-park growth in Asia.

“Our theme parks in the U.S. have performed exceptionally well, and we look forward to working with our partners to achieve that success in Japan, as we plan to introduce significant attractions in [Universal Studios Japan] over the next five years,” said NBCUniversal Chief Executive Steve Burke.

Comcast NBCUniversal originally owned a 24% stake in the park when it opened in 2001 but sold all shares in the park by 2007. It was unclear Monday which private investors have agreed to sell their stakes in the park to Comcast NBCUniversal.

Asia has become the hottest market for theme parks as a burgeoning middle class spends more on leisure activities, according to industry experts.

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In the U.S., NBCUniversal is gearing up for the opening this spring of an attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood based on the hugely popular books and movies about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

To read more about travel, tourism and the airline industry, follow me on Twitter at @hugomartin.

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