Chapter 269 Universal Studios Osaka
In 1982, Disney built the Disney theme park in Maihama, Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.
Ten years later, five years ago, Panasonic, which had acquired Universal Pictures, took control of Universal Pictures and built the first Universal Studios in Japan on the basis of an original amusement park in Osaka.
However, before it was completely built, Neon's economic bubble was burst.
The budget of Universal Studios, which was originally expected to cost 500 billion yen, was drastically reduced to less than 100 billion yen.
So much so that the Universal Studios Osaka can be said to be just in name only.
Although it has the authorization from Universal Pictures, it is not as big as the Universal Studios in the United States.
Not to mention that after Milo acquired Universal, the Japanese had even less intention to operate the Universal Studios in Osaka, which was only in name only.
And in parallel time and space.
It wasn't until 1998, after NBC acquired Universal, that they paid to rebuild it on the basis of Universal Studios Osaka.
NBC did not even pay for the construction of Universal Studios Osaka, but instead sought various loans and financing channels.
It wasn't until 2001 that it opened, and it was very popular when it first opened.
It has created a record of tens of millions of visitors a year.
A few years later, the business started to become difficult again. It can be said that it never got off the ground.
But this is a matter of parallel universe.
Just like the Universal Studios in Orlando and Hollywood in the United States, which are now being rebuilt.
Universal Studios in Osaka is also under reconstruction.
This was even written into Paladin Media's IPO plan this year.
Most of the $20 billion in financing mentioned in Paladin Media's IPO plan will be used for overseas operations.
This includes setting aside $3 billion to rebuild and expand the Neon Osaka Cinema.
However, Paladin Media has only been listed for more than half a year.
Therefore, the reconstruction of Universal Studios Osaka is currently still in the process of redesigning and determining the theme type.
At this moment, we are at a hot spring hotel in the quiet mountains at the foot of Mt. Katsuragi in Osaka.
It was during Milo's trip to Osaka that Akira Matsumoto specially found and booked according to Milo Blackburn's request.
Matsumoto Akira is the person in charge of Paladin Media in Japan.
He is also the supervisor of the construction of Universal Studios Osaka, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures under Paladin Media.
He can basically be regarded as Paladin Media, the first person in charge in Neon.
However, due to the presence of Junko Sumitomo and Andy Blackburn.
To a certain extent, Matsumoto Akira had to ask for instructions or need Sumitomo Junko's help on many things.
Therefore, his title as the Neon Chief of Paladin Media seems to be somewhat unworthy of his status.
Who says Sumitomo Junko is both Milo's woman and a member of the Sumitomo zaibatsu?
Her mother is even a woman from the Kujo family.
In Neon, a place that worships noble races, it can be said that all kinds of BUFFs are maxed out.
Matsumoto Akira was born an ordinary person, unless there is an order from headquarters.
Otherwise, of course, Matsumoto Akira has to do whatever Sumitomo Junko says.
Not to mention that Paladin Media’s investment in Neon is basically jointly funded with Sumitomo United Entertainment Group.
This results in Matsumoto Akira having even less say.
But now Milo has left Tokyo and come to Osaka, Matsumoto Akira's base.
Matsumoto Akira naturally served the boss enthusiastically.
The hot spring he was looking for for Milo was called Secret Hot Spring in Neon.
Between the wild mountains and waters is a real secret place where you can enjoy the different beauty of nature in all four seasons and taste authentic mountain delicacies made with local ingredients.
The secret hot spring hotel that Matsumoto Akira booked is an ancient foot-basin-style building structure.
There are sixteen luxurious Japanese-style guest rooms, which are just enough for Milo and his group to stay.
Milo looked at the hot spring built of a whole piece of cypress wood, surrounded by a dense forest. He could overlook the ocean by looking over the treetops. The hot spring pool with a full sense of openness seemed to float among the forest. It was magnificent.
"Hidden beside a mountain stream or forest, I can enjoy the most primitive nature. I am very satisfied with this place." Milo smiled with satisfaction.
“Whether it is early morning or dusk, whether bathing in the morning dew in the courtyard or gazing at the mountains and rivers in the distance, in this quiet space, one can always calm down, have an unexpected conversation with nature, and listen to the gentle singing of the mountain elves.”
The person who spoke was Takako Tokiwa.
He was one of the big Japanese TV drama stars who was brought by Sumitomo Junko to entertain and take care of Milo when Milo first came to Japan.
This time Milo came to Osaka.
Junko didn't come along because she had to work and take care of Andy.
However, she summoned the other four people, including Takako Tokiwa, again and sent them to accompany and serve Milo.
Takako Tokiwa and the others have been serving Milo since the last time.
Not long after, they all joined Sumitomo United Media Group founded by Junko Sumitomo.
It can be said that their backer is Sumitomo Junko.
As we all know, Sumitomo Junko has a powerful backer behind her.
This gives them a very special status in Japan's entertainment circle.
Almost no one dares to mess with them anymore, allowing them to live a work life that was unimaginable in the past and that many of their female colleagues envy.
It can be said that all the implicit and explicit rules within the circle have stayed away from them.
The five of them were secretly labeled as "women who should not be messed with" and "Celestial Dragons' women" by many bigwigs in the circle.
It can be said that the time they have been serving Milo till now is the most comfortable time they have had since they joined this circle.
So now, Sumitomo Junko sent them over to serve Milo again.
Instead of complaining or feeling annoyed, they were all filled with joy from the bottom of their hearts.
Because doing this again means that the BUFF of "women enjoyed by the Celestial Dragons" on them can be refreshed again.
At least for the next one or two years, they just need to stay at Sumitomo United Media.
In the Japanese entertainment circle, no one dares to provoke him.
So no one was unwilling, including Takako Tokiwa.
Nanako Matsushima, Takako Matsu, Norika Fujiwara, and Noriko Sakai also gathered here.
But at this moment, they are also taking a hot spring bath.
But because Matsumoto Akira was there, everyone was wearing kimonos and looked very conservative.
It would be the same even if Matsumoto Akira kept his head down the whole time and didn't dare to look even once.
Milo came in the afternoon, and after a while, it is now evening.
Because I had a big fight with them before, I was a little hungry now.
So let someone prepare dinner first.
Since we are in Neon, of course we should follow the local customs and eat so-called Japanese food.
Japanese cuisine emphasizes natural colors, delicious flavors, diverse shapes, exquisite utensils, and the ingredients and cooking methods pay attention to seasonality.
On the tatami in the hot spring house, there is a black dining table in front of each person, and the table is filled with various plates and bowls.
"…If you want to eat authentic Osaka food, you should go to the Dotonbori Food Court, the birthplace of the food culture in Osaka Castle. There are countless signature stores and a wide variety of food."
Takako Tokiwa put down her chopsticks gracefully and said with a sweet smile as she watched Milo drink up the sake in his glass in response to Akira Matsumoto's humble and respectful toast.
She is a native of Osaka.
Maybe he was a landlord to some extent, and he was the first one to serve Milo.
Milo seemed to like her the most, so she was the leader of the five-member group.
I also dare to speak a few words to adjust the atmosphere at the right time.
"Oh? Then when I have time, I really should go and take a look." Milo nodded to Matsumoto Akira who filled his glass with wine, and said to Tokiwa Takako with a smile.
Twenty-five-year-old Takako Tokiwa is at the most beautiful moment of her life.
She has the gentleness and tolerance that are unique to oriental beauties.
At the same time, she has the typical Japanese feminine temperament.
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
Milo liked it quite a lot.
"Ms. Takako is right. Dotonbori is indeed a food street that food lovers particularly like to visit." Matsumoto Akira complimented with a smile.
In any case, Milo always felt that the way Japanese people spoke sounded a little weird.
In particular, the Japanese's English proficiency is known all over the world.
Not only Milo didn't understand, but they themselves didn't understand either.
Perhaps this is also the reason why Junko directly provided Andy with an English environment.
This is to prevent Andy from learning Japanese first and then picking up a Japanese accent when he learns English.
Fortunately, the person I found, Matsumoto Akira, has a background in working in the United States.
My English is pretty good, otherwise I would have to rely on guessing and using gestures to chat.
Milo nodded, and then said to Matsumoto Akira who had returned to his seat: "How is the planning for rebuilding the studio going? Have you done a good job of local research? To be honest, if it's not suitable, I'd like to move the studio to a place near Tokyo."
Milo asked directly.
When it comes to the work of his subordinates, he never beats around the bush and always gets straight to the point.
Matsumoto Akira also hurriedly sat up straight and replied with a serious expression: "Boss, the plan is ready. As for moving to Tokyo, that is of course based on your will. But I have a suggestion, are you willing to listen to it?"
"Well, tell me your suggestions. After all, you are the local person in charge." Milo stretched out his hand and made a gesture for him to speak.
"Hi!"
Matsumoto Akira instinctively bowed slightly and responded solemnly, then slowly relaxed his body, still without a smile on his face, and began to speak seriously: "Boss, have you heard about the dispute between Kansai and Kanto in Japan?"
Milo nodded: "I've heard a little bit about it."
Neon Kansai refers to a group of ancient Japanese cities, headed by the ancient capital of Kyoto.
Kanto is a modern urban area headed by Tokyo.
Before the Meiji Restoration and the Tokugawa shogunate, Kyoto was the political center of Japan.
Then it became Tokyo.
In 1956, the Japanese legislated to abolish Tokyo's status as the sole capital.
In fact, up to now, Japan does not have a capital in the legal sense.
People in Kyoto look down on people in Tokyo, thinking that people in Tokyo are latecomers and those who got promoted by luck.
People in Tokyo also look down on people in Kyoto, thinking that they are old-fashioned and should be swept into the garbage bin of history.
This is the dispute between Kansai and Kanto that has existed in Japan for thousands of years.
So much so that in modern times, even the voltage and frequency of electricity used in Neon Kansai and Kanto are different.
For example, if there is a power outage in Kansai.
Kanto has sufficient electricity and is willing to support Kansai, but that is of no use.
Because the voltage and frequency are different, there is no way to transmit electricity.
Even because of this reason, the household appliances in these two places cannot be used interchangeably...
"My suggestion is related to the regional discrimination characteristic of Neon."
Matsumoto Akira said, "Because Disney is in Tokyo, many people in Kansai are ashamed of it and think that Kanto should also have an international amusement park that can compete with Disneyland."
"That's why Panasonic, which took over Universal Studios five years ago, put it in Osaka instead of near the Tokyo area."
"This is because if Universal Studios is located in Osaka, Kansai, then both the business groups in Kansai and the local government and people in Osaka are happy to give Universal Studios various benefits and care."
“Like land.”
"If you choose to buy land in Tokyo, you can only buy land at market price."
"But if it is located in Osaka, the local authorities in Osaka are even willing to give the land to Universal Studios for one-tenth of the market price."
"This alone could save $200 to $300 million in costs."
"There is also support in terms of bank loans, which are interest-free. Kansai banks are willing to provide at least 300 billion yen in interest-free loans for a five-year period..."
Matsumoto Akira: "So if we put Universal Studios in Osaka, then just the support from all sides can save us about $500 to $600 million in construction costs."
After listening to this, Milo nodded slightly.
It can save $500 million to $600 million, which is indeed a remarkable support.
No wonder NBC finally chose to build Universal Studios in Osaka in its previous life.
Five or six hundred million dollars...even the Big Eight Hollywood studios can't make that much money in a year.
In order to compete with the people of Kanto, the people of Kansai are really willing to spend a lot of money.
"But we can't just think about the cost. We need to think about where the profit is coming from."
Milo said, "As far as I know, Neon Tokyo has a population of over 100 million, accounting for the vast majority of your country's population and economy. Considering this direction, wouldn't it be better to put Universal Studios in the east of Tokyo?"
Matsumoto Akira almost didn't hesitate and immediately began to answer: "I have also thought about your question. However, to answer this question, it is not enough to just talk or rely on faith. I still believe that only numbers and data are the most honest. All phenomena in the world can be calculated with numbers."
"During this period, I have been sending employees to the streets to conduct consumer surveys, and the results, based on my own mathematical thinking, confirm that Universal Studios Osaka has the potential to attract 10 million visitors a year."
“This number is not inferior to Tokyo Disneyland. And my number is not only based on local surveys in Osaka and Kansai.”
"Half of the data came from Tokyo. The vast majority of ordinary people interviewed said that if Osaka had such an international-class cinema, they would be willing to come here to play."
"After all, it only takes two hours to fly from Tokyo to Osaka. The air ticket is less than 3,000 yen, which is affordable for most families."
Milo then nodded, because he remembered the Universal Studios Osaka after NBC rebuilt it.
When business was good in the beginning, there were indeed tens of millions of people visiting the park.
Business subsequently deteriorated, and that was because Universal Studios’ own content was not good and it was unable to handle the traffic, thus disappointing its guests.
"Okay, you've convinced me. Then let's put Universal Studios in Osaka."
Milo nodded.
In fact, even if Matsumoto Akira didn't say this.
Paladin Media's original intention was to build Universal Studios in Osaka.
(End of this chapter)