Universal Studios Japan Confirms Talks With Osaka City Over Sakurajima Land Lease

Universal Studios Japan says it’s in talks with Osaka City about a possible long-term lease of city-owned land in Sakurajima 2-chome, Konohana Ward. That confirmation identifies the two parties, the ownership of the property, the location being discussed, and the kind of arrangement on the table. It does not go further than those basics.

The park’s operating company posted that on its official news page on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Osaka City announced the future use of that city-owned land on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. USJ’s post addresses that public announcement instead of presenting a separate project reveal. Both statements concern the same municipal property.

USJ says it’s advancing talks about the possibility of a long-term lease. It frames the interest around contributing to Osaka’s tourism and economic development. That is the company’s stated reason for exploring the property. It is not a description of a planned use for the site.

The company says it will follow Osaka City’s procedures. The statement doesn’t identify a completed procedural step or a signed agreement. It only says USJ will respond appropriately within the process set by the city.

Then the line that matters. USJ says the talks are only at the stage of discussing a possible long-term lease. No other details are confirmed. So the confirmed action is discussion, and the confirmed subject is a potential lease. USJ doesn’t say those talks have produced a final decision.

That is the whole confirmation. USJ isn’t announcing a project, a timeline, or what would go on the land. It also isn’t confirming that a lease will happen. The statement gives no basis to turn a possible land arrangement into a finished development plan.

The wording is narrow. “Possible” describes the lease, while “in talks” describes USJ’s position in the process. Neither phrase supports treating the property as acquired or a development as approved. The September 1 statement is news because USJ confirms the discussion itself, not because it reveals the outcome.

I covered this beat on Friday, August 28, 2026, when USJ said a Nikkei expansion report was not its announcement. Same rule. USJ speaks for USJ. The August 28 response and September 1 confirmation answer different questions. The first addressed who had announced the reported expansion. The second identifies one step USJ is taking with Osaka City. Reading them together keeps the official record narrow: a company discussing a lease, not a company unveiling what it would build.

I’ll update this if USJ or Osaka City confirms more.

Source: Universal Studios Japan