Latest news with #AsukaIII
Yomiuri Shimbun
4 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
1st Newly Built Asuka Cruise Ship in 34 Years Unveiled as More Companies Invest in Building Cruise Ships
The Asuka III, NYK Line's first new passenger ship in 34 years, is set to go into service on July 20, becoming part of a two-ship fleet for the company alongside the active Asuka II. NYK Line unveiled the interior of the Asuka III to the press on July 11. The ship weighs 52,265 gross tons, 230 meters long and can accommodate 740 passengers. It boasts an outdoor pool, a casino and six restaurants, and all 381 staterooms include balconies providing ocean views. As part of decarbonization efforts, the ship's fuel system allows for the use of liquefied natural gas, which emits fewer greenhouse gases, in addition to conventional heavy and light oils. On its maiden voyage, the ship will embark on a seven-day tour, visiting Hakodate and Otaru in Hokkaido. The travel fare, for two people sharing a room, ranges from ¥984,000 to ¥4,786,000 per person. 'We aspire to be the flagship of Japan's cruise industry,' Captain Hisashi Kogue said during the preview event on July 11. NYK Line's primary businesses is cargo logistics, such as transporting automobiles and raw fuel. However, the company's outlook is uncertain due to disruptions from U.S. tariff measures and concerns about economic slowdown. To diversify its revenue sources, the company aims to strengthen its cruise ship business. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the number of global cruise passengers reached a record high of 34.6 million in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year. It predicts this number will approach 40 million by 2027. The Japanese market is relatively small, with only 224,000 passengers in 2024. However, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has set a goal of reaching 1 million passengers by 2030. As cruise ship businesses are expected to experience increased demand both domestically and internationally, companies are focusing their efforts on this sector. In March, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced the purchase of a cruise ship from a U.S. passenger ship company, with plans to commence operations in the second half of 2026. The company also plans to invest about ¥100 billion to build two cruise ships, with the first slated for completion around 2027. Oriental Land Co. aims to commence cruise ship operations by the end of fiscal 2028. The company's long-term management strategy, announced in April, also revealed a plan to consider launching a second ship. 'Unlike theme parks, cruises have no land constraints,' said President Wataru Takahashi. 'We want to leverage our strength, which is the power of Disney, to provide enjoyment to our customers,' he added, indicating his intention to establish the cruise ship business as a growth pillar.
12-07-2025
- Business
Interior of New Cruise Ship Asuka III Shown to Press
Yokohama, July 12 (Jiji Press)--Japan's NYK Cruises Co. showed the interior of the Asuka III, its first newly built cruise ship in 34 years, to the press for the first time Friday. The Asuka III, which is set to go into service July 20, has a smaller passenger capacity than the existing Asuka II cruise ship as NYK Cruises aims to offer higher-quality services. The ship features six restaurants, along with an open-air spa and a sauna located in the bow section. All 381 guestrooms offer ocean views during voyages. Three types of guestrooms are available, and guests staying in the penthouse suites are eligible for sightseeing tours during port calls. Travel aboard the Asuka III requires a minimum stay of three nights. Both domestic cruises around Japan and international cruise plans are also offered. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Nikkei Asia
11-07-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
NYK launches 2nd cruise ship as Japan aims for 1m passengers
The Asuka III is a midsize cruise ship that can fit 740 passengers. (Photo by Tomonori Washida) TOMONORI WASHIDA TOKYO -- Japanese marine transport group NYK Line held a naming ceremony on Friday for the second cruise ship in its fleet, as the government envisions a domestic cruise market of 1 million passengers. At 52,265 metric tons, the Asuka III is a midsize vessel that can accommodate 740 passengers in 381 cabins.
The Mainichi
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Cruise boom buoys Japan's post-pandemic tourism
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- When the Diamond Princess was quarantined off Yokohama in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Japan's cruise industry ground to a halt, its future clouded by fear and uncertainty. Today, that industry is roaring back. Demand for maritime journeys with swimming pools among a host of luxury amenities and entertainment has surged due to pent-up wanderlust and a wave of new investments. Japanese ports are seeing record domestic passenger numbers, signaling not just a revival in leisure travel, but a broader boost to local economies that rely on tourism. Japan, an archipelago of over 14,000 islands and one of the largest economies in the world, has a relatively small cruise industry and modest vessels compared to the U.S., home of giants like Carnival Cruise Line. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, however, the Japanese cruise market grew significantly in 2024, increasing by 14.2 percent year-on-year to 224,100 passengers. The number of international visitors entering Japan by cruise ship quadrupled to 1.4 million, nearly 60 percent of the record set in 2017. Kentaro Matsuura, president of cruise travel agency Yutaka Club (Tokyo), estimates domestic passengers will exceed 250,000 in 2025 and may approach the 2019 record high of 356,600 next year. With their core cargo business hit hard by U.S. President Donald Trump's import tariffs, Japanese shipping giants are developing cruise ships into thriving businesses that can produce stable income streams. Due to tariffs, shipping companies NYK Line and Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd. (MOL) forecast 47.7 percent and 60.0 percent year-on-year declines in net profits, respectively, in their consolidated financial accounts for fiscal 2025. NYK Cruises will launch the Asuka III on July 20, expanding its fleet to two ships, while Mitsui Ocean Cruises will add a third ship in the latter half of next year. On the evening of May 5, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which MOL began operating in December 2024, passed under Yokohama Bay Bridge. Nearby, in the Port of Yokohama, Mitsui's Nippon Maru was awaiting departure. Also docked was the Cunard luxury liner Queen Elizabeth. "I look forward to seeing the Asuka III," said a man viewing the ships. At 52,265 gross tons and 230 meters long, the Yokohama-based Asuka III will be the largest passenger ship in the Japanese fleet. It will be decorated with frescoes by Japanese painter Hiroshi Senju, giving it the feel of a floating art gallery, and all 381 cabins will have private seaside balconies. Her maiden voyage from July 20 to 26 will be from Yokohama to Hakodate and Otaru in Hokkaido. The costs per passenger will be between 984,000 yen ($6,800) and around 4.80 million yen. In February, NYK Line and its subsidiary Yusen Cruises reached a basic agreement on a business alliance in which Oriental Land, which operates Tokyo Disney Resort, will take over the operation and management of cruise ships scheduled to enter service in fiscal 2028. The main departure and arrival port will be Tokyo Bay, and shows featuring Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters will be held on board. A second vessel is also being considered for service. To keep up with its rival, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in March announced that it had also bought an additional sister ship (32,477 gross tons) from the U.S.-based Seabourn Cruise Line, the seller of the Mitsui Ocean Fuji hull, to begin operations in the latter half of next year. "Mitsui Ocean Fuji has received a very positive response from customers due to the fact that they can enjoy the expansive ocean views from their cabin verandas," said MOL President Tsunemichi Mukai, adding that the addition of a sister ship will only strengthen the company's ability to attract customers. The company plans to build two passenger ships at a European shipyard and launch them in the near future.
The Mainichi
06-06-2025
- The Mainichi
Easy Japanese news in translation: New cruise ship Asuka III arrives at Yokohama Port
The new cruise ship Asuka III arrived at Yokohama Port in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, on June 2. Many people gathered and welcomed it with cheers. Asuka III is a luxury cruise ship with Yokohama as its home port and was built in Germany. It is 230 meters long, has 381 cabins, and can carry up to 740 passengers. It is scheduled to depart on its first cruise on July 20. Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension. A fresh set will be published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m., Japan time. Click/tap here for past installments. Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.
