Northern Okinawa to see potential rejuvenation with Junglia's debut
Junglia Okinawa: A Major Boost to Northern Okinawa's Economy and Tourism
Junglia Okinawa, a newly opened nature-themed amusement park located in the northern Yanbaru region of Okinawa Prefecture, is set to have a significant positive impact on the local economy and tourism.
Economic analyses project that over the next 15 years, Junglia could generate roughly ¥6.8 trillion (about $42–46 billion USD) in economic impact and create around 880,000 jobs. This influence comes from various channels including job creation, increased tourism, and regional branding that showcases the natural beauty of the Yanbaru region where the park is situated[1][2][3][5].
The park, designed by Katana Inc., a marketing company based in Osaka, aims to address Okinawa’s "zaru keizai" problem, where tourism revenues have historically tended to leak out of the local economy, by promoting local engagement and offering immersive nature experiences distinct from traditional concrete amusement parks. It intends to attract tourists—both domestic and international—to northern Okinawa, a region previously less frequented by visitors compared to southern resort areas[1][2][3].
The park, which opened on July 25, straddles the village of Nakijin and the city of Nago. To mitigate potential traffic congestion due to increased visitor numbers, measures such as free shuttle buses operated by the park and road widening by the prefectural government have been planned[2][3].
Local communities expect Junglia Okinawa to attract tourists to northern Okinawa, helping to explore a region that has been largely overlooked. The park offers adventure sports, dinosaur-themed attractions, spa facilities including the world’s largest infinity pool by tub size, and nature safaris, complementing Okinawa’s established strengths as a beach resort and broadening its appeal[4][5].
The Finance Ministry recently upgraded Okinawa’s economic status to "recovering" due to the addition of Junglia, which is expected to contribute directly to Okinawa’s broader economic recovery through increased hotel occupancy rates and higher private consumption from tourist spending[4].
Professor emeritus Katsuhiro Miyamoto at Kansai University in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, was involved in the estimate, along with others. The estimate did not specify the breakdown of the 6,808 billion yen economic impact or the timeframe for the creation of the 880,000 jobs[1]. Tsuyoshi Morioka, CEO of Katana Inc., based in the city of Osaka, confirmed that Junglia Okinawa is not made of iron and concrete[6].
In summary, Junglia Okinawa is projected to be a major driver of local economic revitalization and tourism growth in Okinawa Prefecture by creating jobs, attracting diverse visitors, stimulating local spending, and showcasing the unique natural environment of northern Okinawa[1][2][3][4][5].
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