BY TAISHIRO OZAWA

Universal Studios Japan opened in the Konohana ward of Osaka in April, 2001. It is the second large-scale amusement park in Japan after Tokyo Disneyland, which is actually located outside of Tokyo in Chiba prefecture.

There are various differences between the two. At Universal Studios the rides are based on American movies. The target age for Universal Studios is higher than that of Disneyland, and many kinds of alcoholic beverages are sold in the park. As for the attractions, they have at showy qAmerican sense of entertainment which Japanese lack.

This writer visited Universal at its pre-opening in March of this year. It seemed as if I were no longer in Japan. The atmosphere was like America. I was astonished at the flames used in the Back Draft attraction. There are some attractions that I would not recommend for those with a weak heart. But, in general, there are more family oriented attractions at the Universal Studios, Osaka

than in America, such as Snoopy.

Some problems do exist. One problem is that the site is relatively small because of the lack of available land in the Osaka are. Another problem, or potential problem, is whether people will want to come back again and again or not. The people if Osaka and the Kansai region hope that Universal Studios, Japan will lead to greater economic activity and more internationalization.