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Asahi Shimbun
7 days ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Hopes and fears build as Junglia Okinawa's opening nears
Construction on Junglia Okinawa as seen from The Asahi Shimbun's corporate plane ahead of its July opening on May 3 in Nakijin, Okinawa Prefecture (Tatsuya Shimada) NAHA—With a hefty price tag totaling 70 billion yen ($483 million), Junglia Okinawa's roller coaster-esque journey is barreling toward another summit as the theme park's much-anticipated July 25 opening nears. The construction of a theme park in the northern part of the prefecture is a clear departure from Okinawa's state-led economic promotion measures after the prefecture reverted from U.S. to Japanese rule in 1972. Junglia is one of the southernmost prefecture's largest private-sector projects ever, but it is not the first. Sour memories are resurfacing in some residents who remember another tourism endeavor that backfired even as expectations rise for the new park. When finished, Junglia will operate in Yanbaru, the name for the main island's northern half in the region's dialect. The mountainous area is about 90 minutes from the prefectural capital by car. The park, which will reportedly offer more than 20 attractions, is replacing what was a roughly 60-hectare golf course stretching across Nago and Nakijin. A dinosaur-themed ride and hot air balloon experience are among the attractions with an onsite spa as well. FAILED UNIVERSAL STUDIOS PROJECT No major undertaking is ever free from complications. Before Junglia, the operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka announced it was opening a park in the northern part of Okinawa's main island 10 years ago. The central government strongly backed USJ LLC's project, with then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga saying a new theme park was the key component of the government's economic promotion measures for the prefecture. However, the project plans were withdrawn about a year later after USJ's management was reshuffled. Dreams of building a theme park in the area would lie dormant until 2018 when marketing firm Katana Inc. and other companies announced a new plan and set it in motion. The only remaining tie to USJ was Tsuyoshi Morioka, who played a key role in reviving Universal Studios Japan and went on to found Katana after going independent. PURPOSEFULLY LOCAL The local business community has high hopes for Junglia. Unlike other extensive projects, the park's operator Japan Entertainment Inc. is based in the prefecture and was specifically founded in June 2018 as part of Katana's efforts for the theme park and larger goal of revitalizing Okinawa. Local ownership may provide Okinawa with a better chance to rebound from the unintended 'zaru keizai' (sieve economy) conundrum. The situation is the unfortunate outcome of the government introducing subsidies in an effort to eliminate the financial disparity between the island prefecture and the mainland; Okinawa was ruled by the U.S. military for 27 years following the end of World War II while Honshu experienced rapid economic growth during the same period. Mainland companies winning contracts for the high-percentage subsidies ultimately made it difficult for locals to benefit from the projects tied to them, something Junglia seeks to avoid. "It is also a project intended to boost the economy in Okinawa and its northern area," Morioka said during a news conference held in January. Japan Entertainment has emphasized the importance of hiring locals, saying it will employ a total of about 1,300 full- and part-time workers by the time the park opens. Junglia's shareholders also include leading Okinawan corporations such as Orion Breweries Ltd., headquartered in Tomigusuku, and Naha-based department store operator Ryubo Holdings Co. "It is a private sector-led project of an unprecedented scale,' said Denichiro Ishimine, Okinawa Electric Power Co. adviser and former head of a council for Okinawa-based economic associations. 'Located at the gateway to Asia, Okinawa has high international competitiveness for its nature and traditional culture originating from the Ryukyu Kingdom era, and the project can help improve the quality of tourism in Okinawa." Counterbalancing this sentiment are voices of concern over tourist congestion. Because Junglia is being built between the prefecture's expressway and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu, which is already popular with tourists, it is feared that chronic traffic snarls, noise and other negative impacts could worsen the living environment. While Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki said during a prefectural assembly session that the prefectural government intends to make maximum use of Junglia's opening to create jobs and develop infrastructure around the site, he added, "We hope that the park operator will continue providing information to local residents and having conversations with them." POST-EXPO FALLOUT Some area residents still hold bitter memories of what came after the economic boom driven by the 1975 Okinawa Ocean Expo. The expo was held three years after Okinawa's return to Japan as part of the central government's First Okinawa Promotion and Development Plan. Today, the aquarium stands on the expo's former grounds. Yasukichi Miyagi, 81, a mango farmer in Nakijin near Junglia, owned a construction business at the time. He worked as a subcontractor for a company outside the prefecture while the expo venue, roads and other facilities were being built. This work required he purchase a small fleet of heavy machinery and hire enough people to fill orders. But the number of expo visitors fell short of the expected 4.5 million during its half-year run, and many companies that made major investments went bankrupt. Miyagi's firm escaped bankruptcy but he had to cut staff and equipment to barely break even. Since then, the village's population has decreased by about 40 percent from approximately 15,000 in 1950. Although Miyagi has a sense of crisis that the village could eventually disappear, Junglia is something positive to talk about. That said, it remains uncertain how the large-scale tourism project will affect the community and if those in charge can prevent history from repeating itself. "I wonder if it will really work," he mumbled. 'INEVITABLE CHALLENGE' REMAINS According to Moritake Tomikawa, a former vice governor of Okinawa Prefecture who is now a professor emeritus of economics at Okinawa International University, the addition of Junglia could be a way to solve problems such as depopulation and low-income levels. This applies not just in comparing the prefecture to the mainland, but the island's regions where the north lags economically behind the south. Despite the potential windfall, making the prefecture's economy solely dependent on tourism is still an unstable venture because it is easily influenced by external factors—the COVID-19 pandemic being the most devastating example. The prefectural government previously promoted manufacturing without much success and Okinawa's industrial structure remains weak. "As we move forward to achieving Okinawa's economic independence, it is an inevitable challenge to develop another industry on par with tourism," Tomikawa said.
The Mainichi
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Editorial: Science Council of Japan must not become government tool
The Science Council of Japan is a representative organization of scientists dedicated to the pursuit of the truth. It must not become a government tool. A law has been passed to turn the Science Council of Japan from a special organization operating independently of the government into a special corporate entity, effective October 2026. There remain concerns that the operational independence of the council could be threatened. It is only natural that the council and academic organizations across Japan have joined in calling for the legislation to be amended or repealed. With the transition, a new mechanism of government oversight has been included, whereby auditors and evaluation committee members appointed by the prime minister will review the council's activity plans and operations. If the government interferes with policy proposals or research directions, academic freedom will be shaken. Government influence may also extend to the selection of members when the new organization is launched. Experts appointed by the prime minister will be included in the committee responsible for selecting members. It will also become possible to dismiss members in the science council's general meetings. Manabu Sakai, the minister of state for special missions in the Cabinet Office, stated in the Diet that dismissal could occur if "specific ideologies or partisan claims are repeatedly made." If political opinions become grounds for dismissal, there is a risk of infringing on freedom of thought and belief. In the first place, reform of the council stemmed from government intervention in personnel decisions. In 2020, a problem erupted over then Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's refusal to appoint six people to the science council. Without explaining the reasons, the government proceeded with an organizational review as if to reproach the council for its opposition; an act that invited distrust. The Science Council of Japan was established as a response to the fact that many scientists were coerced into cooperating with the government and military during World War II. In 1950 and 1967, the council issued statements that it would not engage in research for war or military purposes. In 2017, it similarly expressed a cautious stance toward government-promoted research with potential military applications and has repeatedly made recommendations from an independent position. The government's argument is that "to spend government funds, a certain level of involvement is necessary." But if the new organization panders to the government or is used to endorse government policies, questions will be raised about its very existence. Its international reputation will also suffer. Academic freedom and its results are foundational supports for the interests of humanity. The council cannot fulfill its role as an academy providing scientific views as long as there is room for political intervention.
The Mainichi
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan science body to become corporate entity amid autonomy concerns
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese parliament enacted Wednesday a bill to turn a government advisory body of scientists into a corporate entity, a move that academics have criticized as potentially infringing on its independence through stronger state oversight. Under the new law, the Science Council of Japan, currently a special organization operating independently from the government, will be given the status of a special corporate entity from October 2026. Members will no longer be appointed by the prime minister from a list of nominations compiled exclusively by the council, with third-party experts, including non-scientists, getting a say in the council's composition. In addition, outside auditors and committee members selected by the prime minister will now oversee the council's operations in a bid to enhance transparency. The changes "would place (the council) under political and administrative control or pressure," and "undermine (its) scientific freedom, and its freedom of choice in selecting which scholars" join it, the council said earlier in a statement. The debate over the council's corporate status stems from 2020 when then Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, in an unprecedented move, blocked six scholars who had been critical of his predecessor Shinzo Abe's policies from joining the council. Suga has since refused to give his reason for rejecting the scholars. The 210-member council, established in 1949, has been critical especially of the government's promotion of arms technology, such as the Defense Ministry's policy of pushing research that could be diverted to military technologies. Ahead of the passage of the bill, submitted by the government, there had been concerns over whether the council could ensure its independence, given that the new law no longer includes a clause that says the council performs its duties "independently." The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the major opposition force, proposed an amendment to the bill to include a clause stating the council's independence, but this was voted down at Tuesday's upper house committee. The council has also criticized financial aid in the form of subsidies, saying this not only restricts the entity's freedom in its activities but poses concerns about financial stability. The new law only says the state can subsidize the necessary funds. Currently, the government disburses around 1 billion yen ($6.9 million) annually to the council.
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Entire country has come together to condemn terrorism: Indian Envoy to Japan
Tokyo: Ambassador of India to Japan, Sibi George, said on Saturday that the All-Party Delegation had a productive day conducting meetings with the leaders of Japan. George told ANI that the members of the parliament were speaking on the issue of terrorism in one voice, which reflected the power of India's diversity. "It has been a great day yesterday for the members of parliament visiting the Foreign Office, the parliament, and today again we started the day with an interaction with the resident ambassadors and you have seen how proactive the engagement and interaction were there questions and answers and was very happy to see the members of the parliament replying to their questions in one voice. It's an amazing thing to see India's diversity," he said. George, in conversation with ANI, said that everyone attending the meetings condemned the dastardly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. "We had received our members of parliament yesterday early morning, and since then, it has been continuous meetings and interactions with the Japanese side. They met the Foreign Minister. They met the former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and members of the parliament from the Japanese side also attended the Raisina dialogue, where we spoke about counterterrorism and the fight against terrorism," he said. George said that Japan was the first country to voice its condemnation against the attack. All ministers expressed condolences to the families. "In India, the whole nation has come together in its fight against terrorism. Japan was one of the first countries to condemn the attack immediately after the incident on April 22nd. On 23rd itself, for Prime Minister of Japan telephoned our honourable Prime Minister and condemned the terror attacks, extended full support in the fight against terrorism, condolences on sympathies to the victims. So then the foreign ministers spoke," he said. George said that he received several condolences from the Japanese across all levels, and their commitment to the fight against terrorism. "I have received so many condolences messages and support messages from the Japanese at every level, and so it has been a, a period where everyone stood together in their commitment in their determination in the fight against terrorism," he said. George further said that India is the most peaceful country in the world, just as Japan is, and both countries follow the doctrine of nonviolence. He further talked about the Mahatma Gandhi Bust in Hiroshima, which was unveiled by PM Modi on May 20, 2023, to perpetuate the same sentiment. "India is the most peaceful country in the world, and India's connected with Japan. If you travel, you will find that they look at India as the land of Buddha. Lord Buddha is the symbol of non-violence, and again Mahatma Gandhi [echoes similar sentiment]. Last year, during the visit of the honourable Prime Minister to the Hiroshima National Park Peace Park, we installed the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Why? Because he is the icon of peace," he said. George added that India stands for peace in the region. But the enemy had a target to disrupt peace in the region, as normalcy was returning in Jammu and Kashmir. "So India is the land of peace and in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir, peace had returned, stability was there, democratic government was there, and life was normal. Schools were open, universities were open. Tourism was flourishing. The business-wise life was very normal. That was the time the enemy hit. The enemy hit and purpose was very clear- destroy the progress . Destroy the harmony, religious harmony, communal harmony in India. That was the purpose," he said. George India's message was loud and clear, which is to condemn terrorism, and the entire country had come together for that. "There is no way we are going to let that happen. The whole country has to come together. Members of parliament from different political parties came together with one voice, zero tolerance to terrorism. And the message was loud and clear from the Indian side to our Japanese friends, to the diplomatic community, to the media. They went everywhere with one voice," he said. George said that this was a great achievement as the delegation conveyed its message of strength and determination to destroy terrorism. "This is a great achievement. I see it and you were seeing the interaction today and yesterday at every level. So I think it was a good visit and it helped us, convey our Message loud and clear, our unity, our strength, and our determination to go to any extent in destroying the infrastructure of terrorism," he said. An all-party parliamentary delegation from India, led by Sanjay Kumar Jha, Member of Parliament, is visiting Japan from May 22 to 24. The delegation includes Ambassador Mohan Kumar, BJP MP Hemang Joshi, CPI(M) MP John Brittas, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, BJP MP Brij Lal, and BJP MP Pradan Baruah.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India's All-Party delegation gets support from Japan's Ex-PM in fight against terror
Tokyo [Japan] May 22 (ANI): India's All Party Parliamentary Delegation met Yoshihide Suga, Former Prime Minister of Japan, Vice President of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Chairman of Japan India Association. As per Indian Embassy in Japan, Yoshihide reaffirmed Japan's support to India in its fight against terrorism. In a post on X, he said, 'All Party Parliamentary Delegation from India, led by Hon'ble MP Shri Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with H.E. Mr. Yoshihide Suga, Former Prime Minister of Japan, Vice President of LDP and Chairman of Japan India Association. India's commitment to combating cross border terrorism was reaffirmed. HE Mr Suga reiterated Japan's strong commitment to support India in its fight against terrorism.' Earlier in the day, India's All-Party Delegation interacted with leading Japanese think tanks in Tokyo and briefed them on India's zero tolerance to terrorism. As per India's Embassy in Tokyo, the participants supported India's fight against terrorism. In a post on X, India's embassy to Japan stated, 'All-Party Parliamentary Delegation interacted with leading Japanese think tanks in Tokyo and briefed them on India's zero tolerance to terrorism. Regional security challenges including state backed terrorism was discussed during the interactive session. Participants expressed strong support for India's fight against terrorism.' Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks with Takehiro Funakoshi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan for the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister Dialogue in Tokyo. Misri conveyed India's zero tolerance for terrorism during the talks. In a post on X, Indian Embassy in Tokyo stated, 'H.E. Mr Vikram Misri, Hon'ble Foreign Secretary, joins H.E. Mr Takehiro Funakoshi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan for the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister Dialogue in Tokyo. Discussions covered advancing the India Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, and conveying India's message on zero tolerance for terror.' Meanwhile, earlier in the day, an All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India met with Takeshi Iwaya, Foreign Minister of Japan, reiterating India's unwavering national consensus and firm commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms. (ANI)
