News On Japan

Last Prime Location in Kansai: Umekita Phase 2 Set to Open

OSAKA, Sep 03 (News On Japan) - A commemorative ceremony was held ahead of the early opening of the "Umekita Phase 2 District," dubbed the "last prime location in Kansai," set to open on September 6th.

The ceremony, which began at 11 a.m. on September 3rd, was attended by Osaka Prefecture Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and other stakeholders, celebrating the early opening of the area.

As part of a redevelopment project on the former freight station site north of JR Osaka Station, "Grand Green Osaka" will open following the success of "Grand Front Osaka." The new district, themed around the fusion of "green" and "innovation," features a park spanning approximately 45,000 square meters, adorned with numerous trees and plants.

The total cost of the project is around 600 billion yen, and the adjoining stage is capable of hosting events for up to 10,000 people.

Additionally, the site will house state-of-the-art research facilities, a new branch of the home improvement store "Konan" focusing on plants and aquariums, and a new Hilton hotel.

The entire Umekita Phase 2 project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the 2027 fiscal year, three years from now.

Source: YOMIURI

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Nissan Motor is implementing a workforce reduction plan involving 9,000 employees, with over 70% of the cuts concentrated in production sites, according to a JNN investigation.

Cedar pollen dispersal in Tokyo began on January 8th, marking the earliest start since monitoring began in 1985, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

A rocket carrying the lunar lander developed by Japanese space venture ispace was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in the United States.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan hit an all-time high last year, topping the annual record set before the coronavirus pandemic. Spending by tourists also reached a record high. (NHK)

Last month, Chef Kei Kobayashi, the first Asian to earn three Michelin stars in Paris, supervised dishes for the film "Grand Maison Paris." His restaurant in Paris, as well as five branded establishments in Japan, was featured in a special interview. Kobayashi proposed 20 to 30 menu items for the movie, with several dishes now being offered in Japan for a limited time, including a 5,500-yen course at his Gotemba restaurant.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Business NEWS

Fallout continues from a scandal involving a woman and popular TV personality Nakai Masahiro, who is best known as a former member of the disbanded pop idol group, SMAP. (NHK)

Corporate bankruptcies in Japan rose for the third straight year in 2024. It is the highest number since 2013. Rising prices and labor shortages were to blame in many cases. (NHK)

The nine-day New Year holiday, often hailed as a "miraculous break," has come to an end, and everyday life is gradually resuming. However, for some, this period marked a turning point—deciding to quit their jobs. One resignation service provider reported a record-high number of client requests.

Ahead of the opening of CES, the world’s largest technology expo, Sony Group and Honda have unveiled their first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) model under the ‘AFEELA’ brand.

The Tokyo stock market opened its first trading session of the year with a sharp decline, raising concerns about the state of Japan’s economy in the months ahead. The Nikkei average fell by more than 600 yen at one point compared to the previous year-end, a disappointing start for investors hoping for an optimistic beginning to 2025.

Economists predict that Japan's economy will grow more than 1 percent in inflation-adjusted terms in fiscal 2025. They see wage increases giving a boost to consumer spending. (NHK)

Nippon Steel and US Steel say they have jointly filed a lawsuit against the United States government over President Joe Biden's decision to block the takeover of the American firm.

US President Joe Biden has issued an order to block Nippon Steel's planned buyout of US Steel.