Latest news with #Murayama
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Hilco Industrial Secures Strategic Contract with JFE Steel Corporation, Japan for the Sale of Major Steel Production Lines in EAST JAPAN Works (Keihin), Ohgishima and Mizue-Kawasaki
AMSTERDAM, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Industrial, a global leader in industrial asset sales and advisory services, together with SEALS Co., Ltd, is proud to announce the signing of a landmark agreement with JFE Steel Corporation. This strategic partnership will facilitate the sale of key production lines as the plant restructures its operations. The assets to be made available for sale include the Wide Hot Strip Mill, Coil Galvanizing Line No. 2 and 3 (both with Skin-Pass Mill), Coil Preparation Line, and Pickling Line & Tandem Cold Mill. The combined expertise of Hilco Industrial and SEALS Co., Ltd ensures that these significant assets will be brought to market efficiently, offering steel producers worldwide a unique opportunity to acquire high-performance, large capacity industrial equipment as two industry leaders with deep knowledge of the global steel market. Unlocking Opportunity for Steel Producers Globally With the reorganization of JFE's EAST-JAPAN Works (Keihin) an opportunity is opening for global steel industry players to invest in equipment that can strengthen their manufacturing capabilities. These production lines have a proven track record of supporting large-scale operations and now present a premier opportunity for firms seeking to develop or expand their manufacturing infrastructure. "We are excited to collaborate with SEALS Co., Ltd and JFE Steel Corporation to bring these critical steel production assets to market. This sale represents a unique opportunity for steel manufacturers to acquire highly valuable equipment," said Michael Bouland, Executive Vice President at Hilco Industrial. Mr Murayama, Director at SEALS Co., Ltd, added, "Our partnership with Hilco Industrial is an important step in supporting the global steel sector's developing needs. We look forward to delivering exceptional value through this private asset sale." Assets Available for Sale: This contract underscores Hilco Industrial's leadership in the disposition of industrial assets and further solidifies its role as a trusted partner in the global steel market. Call to Action: Steel industry professionals, plant managers, and investment firms are invited to explore these opportunities and take advantage of the opportunity for acquiring these fantastic assets. For further information on the sale and asset availability, please contact Miguel Furlaneto mfurlaneto@ Office: +31(0)20 470 0989 Whatsapp: +31 65 119 9492 About Hilco Industrial Hilco Industrial is a global leader in the acquisition and sale of industrial assets, offering unparalleled expertise in facilitating the efficient transfer of high-quality equipment across a wide range of industries. As an operating company of Hilco Global, Hilco Industrial leverages its extensive network and resources to deliver value to clients and partners worldwide. About Hilco Global Hilco Global is a diversified financial services company and the world's premier authority on maximizing the value of business assets. Through its operating companies, Hilco Global provides a wide range of services including asset valuation, advisory, monetization, and capital solutions.
Japan Today
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan's National Police Agency says
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 The town of Maruyama, in Yamagata Prefecture, bills itself as the birthplace of iaido. A martial art that focuses on drawing a sword from its scabbard and striking in one smooth, swift motion, iaido is said to have been developed by the 16th century swordsman Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu, who hailed from the area and is enshrined at the town's Kumano Iaii Shrine. Seeking a way to share this aspect of its culture with visitors, in 2017 the Murayama Tourism Association came up with the idea of offering lessons in which travelers would learn the history and fundamentals of iaido, culminating with a test of their skills in which they would wield an actual sharpened katana and attempt to slice through a tatami reed practice target, a training activity known as tameshigiri, or 'practice cutting.' It's a unique and dynamic way to experience traditional Japanese culture first-hand, and the program quickly proved to be a big hit, especially among foreign travelers visiting Japan. The Murayama program even received an award for excellence in Sports and Culture Tourism from the Japanese government in 2020. Following Murayama's success, a number of other places in Japan with samurai heritages of their own started similar tourism programs with tameshigiri as the highlight event. When Murayama was first considering including tameshigiri as part of its iaido lessons for tourists, they ran the idea by the Yamagata Prefectural Police, who said that it wouldn't be a problem as long as it was sufficiently supervised. Prefectural authorities in other parts of Japan with tameshigiri-inclusive lessons apparently felt likewise. But last December, Japan's National Police Agency informed the country's prefectural police forces that it finds such programs to be in violation of Japan's Firearm and Sword Control Law, on the grounds that 'Letting groups such as unspecified numbers of tourists use registered [sharpened] swords for temporary entertainment purposes is fundamentally not allowed.' Murayama has since pivoted to tameshigiri demonstrations, in which the iado lesson instructors are the ones doing the cutting with sharpened blades, but the head of the city tourism association laments that something that had been a major draw had to be eliminated. A martial arts instructor in Akita Prefecture, whose dojo also previously offered lessons for travelers that included tameshigri, similarly says that without it the lessons are receiving fewer reservations. Despite swords being a popular symbol of the Japan's historical culture, they're strictly regulated in modern society. Thankfully, Murayama's iaido lessons are still being offered, though without tameshigiri, and hopefully they'll be able to capture enough interest to help preserve the tradition in a vibrant, participatory way, so that it doesn't become a mere relic of the past. Related: Murayama Iaido Experience official website Source: Yomiuri Shimbun, Murayama Iaido Experience official website Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Possessing Harry Potter's Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan -- Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo With Experience is true to its name, lets you slice with real katana -- Fight like a ninja in a samurai town, with sword-fighting experience at Kyoto Toei movie studio park External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Forward
04-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Universal Studios Japan Looks to Anime, Games, and Global Growth
このページを 日本語 で読む On June 1, Taku Murayama, 53, officially took the helm as president of Universal Studios Japan (USJ). The popular venue is operated by USJ LLC in Osaka's Konohana Ward. In a joint interview with The Sankei Shimbun and other media outlets ahead of his appointment, Murayama voiced strong enthusiasm for creating new attractions and themed areas inspired by anime and video game content. He also described Expo 2025, currently underway on the nearby artificial island of Yumeshima, as a key "litmus test" for the future of tourism in Osaka and the broader Kansai region. Murayama is the first Japanese national to lead the company in 21 years. Notably, he is the first to rise through its internal ranks. Looking ahead, he emphasized a deliberate approach to content strategy. "I want to carefully consider which intellectual properties we choose to work with," he stated. Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR) in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, centers its identity around Mickey Mouse and the Disney universe. USJ, on the other hand, stands out for its eclectic blend of domestic and international anime and gaming content. It is this mishmash that defines its unique appeal. Asked about how he plans to strike a balance between Japanese and overseas IPs, Murayama pointed to Super Nintendo World, which debuted in 2021 and brings the world of Nintendo games to life. He stressed the importance of choosing "globally popular, long-lasting IPs" as a guiding principle. "Every country has its own hit content," he noted, adding that USJ conducts regular market research to stay attuned to shifting tastes. "We want to understand what kinds of attractions and areas people are really looking for — and develop experiences that meet that demand." Murayama lays out his strategic vision for USJ's future. According to data released by the Themed Entertainment Association in August 2024, USJ ranked third in global theme park attendance for the second consecutive year. Visitor numbers surged by 29.6% year-on-year, reaching a total of 16 million. Reflecting on his time as Director of Inbound Sales in 2009, Murayama recalled the challenges of raising USJ's international profile. "At the time, people in mainland China really didn't know who we were," he said. Murayama attributed USJ's continued success not only to its strong lineup of IP-based attractions but also to its immersive seasonal programming. For example, events like Christmas and Halloween transform the park's atmosphere throughout the year. "Guest satisfaction is built on the dedication and hard work of our team," he emphasized. To remain a top-tier destination, he stressed the need to position Osaka and the Kansai region as must-visit travel hubs. He highlighted the significance of Expo 2025, calling it "a true test of Kansai's tourism potential and its challenges." Murayama also pointed to the integrated resort (IR) project — including a casino — set to open on Yumeshima in autumn 2030. that, he says, will provide another key benchmark for long-term tourism growth in the region. Born in Tokyo, Murayama completed his graduate studies at Webster University in the United States in October 1999. He joined USJ in 2000 and held various roles in marketing and sales before being appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer in April 2020. He became president of USJ on June 1, 2025. Author: Keiko Tamura, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
02-06-2025
- Business
INTERVIEW: New USJ Head Vows to Promote Kansai Tourism
News from Japan Economy Jun 2, 2025 13:22 (JST) Osaka, June 2 (Jiji Press)--The new chief of theme park operator Universal Studios Japan LLC is eager to further promote tourism in the Kansai region, western Japan, in cooperation with the Osaka city government. "I'm determined to develop local tourism over the next five to 10 years," Taku Murayama, who took office as USJ president Sunday at age 53, said in a recent interview. Murayama, who started his work career at the company and became its first Japanese president in 21 years, noted that he has long been willing to leverage the globally popular theme park to change the state of "one pole concentration" to Tokyo. Recovering from the COVID crisis, USJ ranked third in the list of most-visited theme parks in the world in 2023. "Visitors always make fresh discoveries at USJ as they experience totally new seasonal events and services, such as those in the Christmas and Halloween seasons," Murayama explained. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Kyodo News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
New Universal Studios Japan chief eyes expansion of park attractions
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 12:00 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism The new head of the operator of Universal Studios Japan has expressed eagerness to expand the park's themed areas, building on the success of attractions such as Super Nintendo World based on the universe of iconic video game character Mario. "We will develop in accordance with the market," said Taku Murayama, 53, who assumed his new leadership post at USJ LLC, which operates the theme park in Osaka in western Japan, effective Sunday. Universal Studios Japan will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026, having regained popularity after 2014 when it launched The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an area centering on the British boy wizard series. It broadened the zone featuring characters from gaming giant Nintendo Co. last year with the introduction of the world's first attraction area based on the popular Donkey Kong series, aiming to garner more visitors from abroad as well as Japan. Murayama, who joined USJ in 2000 after receiving a master's degree from a U.S. university, added that the World Exposition in Osaka, which opened in April, is an "extremely good touchstone" for the growth of the area around the amusement facility. "I want to help enliven" Osaka together, Murayama said, referring to the integrated resort facilities, including a casino, taking shape next to USJ. He voiced hope that their proximity would be mutually beneficial in attracting visitors. With the service industry struggling to secure human resources as part of Japan's nationwide labor shortage trend, Murayama said, "We will actively adopt digital services and operate efficiently," adding he would also strive to improve the work environment. Originally from Tokyo, Murayama succeeded JL Bonnier, who had led USJ since 2015. Related coverage: Shanghai to open Harry Potter theme park in 2027 Ghibli Park to exhibit anime director Hayao Miyazaki's beloved car Disney-themed Shinkansen trains to begin service in Japan from Feb. 21
