Universal Studios Japan announced to the media today that their park closure will be extended until further notice due to the State of Emergency extension in Osaka Prefecture.

Universal Studios Japan originally closed on April 25th due to a confusing policy which places theme parks in the same set of restrictions as sports and other “events”. “Events” were asked by the Osaka Prefectural Government to hold their performances without audiences, obviously an impractical request to make of a theme park. Set to end on May 11th originally, the closure is now extended until further notice.

This comes in spite of the Japanese government relaxing restrictions that it found to make little to no difference in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in hard-hit areas like Tokyo and Osaka, including requests to close department stores, hold events without an audience, and close theme parks. All of these restrictions have been relaxed by the central government themselves, with “events” like theme parks able to return to 5000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is lower, and must conclude by 9pm. Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture, however, declined to lift these restrictions.

In spite of Osaka Prefecture’s decision, neighboring Hyogo and Kyoto Prefectures, also under emergency, are taking up these new rules and allowing department stores and theme parks to reopen under the new restrictions outlined by the central Japanese government.

Stay tuned to Universal Parks News Today for the latest on Universal Studios Japan’s second closure.