Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 593 Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
At night, Norika Fujiwara lay on Aaron's body talking about the Pokémon movie, "The two movies released at the same time grossed 35 billion yen!"

"The acquisition of Monster Game Studios was truly Dawn's most successful investment in Japan." Dawn Games has two studios: Monster Game Studios, which produces Pokémon, and Blizzard Entertainment, which produces Diablo.
However, the sales of Pokémon are indeed phenomenal.

"The movies are good too. Aurora's 'The Sixth Sense' grossed 43 billion yen in Japan."

Norika Fujiwara kissed Aaron on the cheek and said with a smile.

“43 billion yen,” Aaron shook his head, feeling the 34E bust of the woman in his arms. “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace grossed 78 billion yen in Japan, and The Matrix grossed 5 billion yen.”

"Although last year's 'Armageddon' grossed 83 billion yen, it could only play a supporting role with 'Titanic' in the background."

After all, Titanic achieved a record-breaking 160 billion yen at the Japanese box office.

Also, two years ago, Dawn Universal's "Jurassic Park: The Lost World" grossed 58 billion yen, while the champion was the animated film "Princess Mononoke" with 117 billion yen.

Aaron couldn't understand it. Why was Dawn so unlucky in its quest to become the top-grossing film of the year in Japan?

Norika Fujiwara smiled. "But Aurora's current performance is already fantastic. Every year, several of Aurora's films appear on the Japanese box office charts!"

“Alright, we’ll go to Osaka tomorrow to attend the opening ceremony of Universal Studios Japan,” Aaron said, then flipped over and pressed himself against the woman, feeling her fullness and allure before kissing her lips.

"Mmm," Norika Fujiwara responded passionately, clinging tightly to the man on top of her, their embrace incredibly sensual...

On September 2nd, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka held its opening ceremony, attended by Hollywood stars and others, including California Governor Gray Davis;

Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo's ace game designer known as the "father of Mario," Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of the monster game Pokémon, and the governor of Osaka Prefecture, among other Japanese industry figures, were also present at the event.

On its opening day, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka was packed with over 4 visitors!

Aaron, accompanied by Tom Williams, president of Universal Studios Theme Parks and Resorts Group, and Takeshi Narita, president of Universal Studios Japan, led the work.

California Governor Gray Davis, beaming after attending the opening ceremony, said, "Aaron, Japan and California have always had close economic ties."

"Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is yet another boost from Hollywood to the Japanese market!"

Aaron shook hands warmly with the other party, saying, "Governor Davis's presence at the opening ceremony is a testament to his support for Hollywood's cultural and entertainment industry."

"And Japan is the second largest consumer market after North America, making it a key market for Hollywood and other industries."

"Strengthening cooperation between the two sides will definitely lead to a win-win situation!"

That evening, at the Universal Studios Grand Hotel, Aaron, Tom Williams, and Takeshi Narita sat in a small conference room.

"Universal Studios Japan in Osaka has just opened, so there will definitely be a lot of visitors. The important thing is sustainability."

"Tokyo Disneyland arrived in Japan much earlier than us, and they have far more experience in all aspects."

"The competition between the two sides in the future will be fierce!" Aaron tapped the table. "Universal Studios Japan in Osaka shouldn't try to emulate Disneyland Paris; we need to focus on exploring the local Japanese culture."

"This way, we can attract more people."

Tom Williams nodded. "Do you want to bring in Mario and related game IPs?"

“Yes, not only Mario, but I also want to bring in Godzilla’s IP from Toho,” Aaron said, looking at Takeshi Narita. “We can negotiate with film companies like Toho and cooperate with them to increase the film and television IP images of these companies inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.”

Narita Takeshi responded earnestly, "I understand. Tokyo Disneyland has long had industry collaborations with many Japanese film companies."

"Perhaps our progress here won't be so rapid."

Aaron frowned. "Then let's take it slow. We can also get the Sumitomo Group involved."

Unfortunately, Tokyo Disneyland belongs to the Oriental Land Group, a Japanese domestic company.

Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is different. Although it is a joint venture, the operating rights belong to Dawn Universal.

With the official opening of Universal Studios Japan Resort in Osaka, it seems to have spurred Disney's Hong Kong Disneyland project.

Disney has accelerated negotiations with the Hong Kong government regarding a joint venture to build Hong Kong Disneyland!
One week after the opening of Universal Studios Japan Resort in Osaka, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and The Walt Disney Company officially signed a cooperation agreement to jointly build Hong Kong Disneyland.
According to the agreement, the two parties established Xiangjiang International Theme Park Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the construction and operation of Xiangjiang Disneyland;

The Hong Kong SAR government invested HK$32.5 billion, plus HK$55 billion for the land, for a total of 57% of the company's shares; The Walt Disney Company contributed HK$24.5 billion in cash and provided intellectual property, for a total of 43% of the shares.

Aaron, who had already arrived in Hong Kong, shook his head after seeing the cooperation agreement between the two parties, as if he could already foresee the many years of losses that Hong Kong Disneyland would suffer!
"Is Hong Kong going to have its own Disneyland in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island, New Territories?"

In a villa on the Mid-Levels in Hong Kong, Lai Chi sat in Aaron's lap, looking at the newspaper with some excitement.

“Not so fast. Disney Fantasy Studios is in charge of the entire design; it will take at least two or three years,” Aaron said, stroking the woman’s thigh.
"With the construction period added, it will take another two or three years. It is estimated that it will be five or six years before Hong Kong Disneyland opens."

"Really?" Li Zhi is from Hong Kong, and she was very excited that Hong Kong had a Disneyland.

Suddenly, Li Zhi asked, "By the way, why doesn't Universal Studios want to build one in Hong Kong?"

Aaron kissed the girl on the lips. "Let's focus on running Universal Studios Osaka well first; we can't take too big a step."

“Tokyo Disneyland has been operating for many years and has experience with overseas parks. We are the first Universal Studios resort overseas, and we need to accumulate experience.”

Of course, Aaron was not very optimistic about the Hong Kong market either. After all, although Hong Kong had returned to China, people from the mainland still needed visas to come to Hong Kong.

Foreigners like Aaron, on the other hand, can come here visa-free.

With a population of six to seven million, Hong Kong certainly can't support a Disneyland alone; attracting mainland tourists is essential.

However, Hong Kong has been colonized for too long, and it really looks down on its poor relatives on the mainland!
(End of this chapter)