Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Osaka City have established a comprehensive collaboration agreement to commemorate USJ's 25th anniversary. The aim of this partnership is to further enhance its appeal as a tourist destination and to invigorate the local community, particularly in light of the recent excitement generated by the Osaka-Kansai Expo. The collaboration will focus on four main areas: urban charm creation and communication, tourism promotion and regional rejuvenation, sports promotion, and initiatives focused on children, education, and welfare.

As part of this collaborative effort, new themed manhole covers featuring popular characters such as Woody Woodpecker will be installed at 25 locations throughout the city starting in March. Additionally, about 150 tourist information boards adorned with images of landmarks like Osaka Castle and beloved characters such as Snoopy and Elmo are planned to enhance the city’s appeal. The partnership will also be active during the upcoming Osaka Marathon scheduled for February 22, where characters like Snoopy will join to cheer on the runners.

Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama emphasized during the agreement signing ceremony the importance of not just entertainment but also contributing to the community. He stated that this collaboration represents a significant step for both local residents and the influx of domestic and international visitors to Osaka, indicating a strong commitment to joint efforts in enhancing the city’s attractiveness and social contributions, which includes ongoing programs to involve children from foster care facilities in valuable experiences at USJ, alongside educational partnerships with Osaka Public University.