Comcast NBCUniversal to Take Full Ownership of Universal Studios Japan

ORLANDO: Comcast NBCUniversal has agreed to purchase the remaining 49-percent stake in Universal Studios Japan (USJ) that it does not already own.

Comcast NBCUniversal is taking over the shares from its current partners, including Goldman Sachs, former USJ CEO Glenn Gumpel, Asian private-equity firm MBK Partners and U.S. hedge fund Owl Creek Asset Management. The purchase price for this transaction is ¥254.8 billion ($2.3 billion), valuing USJ at ¥840 billion ($7.4 billion), including the assumption of USJ net debt. Once the transaction closes, Comcast NBCUniversal will own 100 percent of the theme park destination.

“Universal Studios Japan is an amazing and incredibly successful theme park,” said Tom Williams, the chairman and CEO for Universal Parks & Resorts. “This acquisition will bring an even stronger future for the theme park, its guests and its team members. We are thrilled USJ will fully be part of the Universal family and look forward to continuing to create a remarkable experience for our guests.”