A recent Teikoku survey showed 20 percent of 430 third-sector leisure and resort companies suffered negative net worth in 2003 and 41 percent had their capital eroded by accumulated losses.
"Still, I don't really think USJ will slide down the ranks. It should keep its status as one of two major forces in the nation's amusement park industry for now," said Shinozuka.
In contrast to the general industry gloom, Tokyo's Disney resorts -- Tokyo
Disneyland and the adjacent DisneySea, both run by Oriental Land Co Ltd -- have sparkled.
The Disney resorts are set to post a second straight year of record sales and profits for 2003/04, with 20th anniversary events expected to push up visitor numbers to 25 million -- 2.5 times higher than the number earmarked by USJ for the year.
"Success at theme parks hinges on whether and how they can grab repeat visitors," said Masaaki Kitami, senior analyst at Daiwa Institute of Research.
Kitami said four key points had made the Magic Kingdom superior: good location, a clear business concept based on know-how imported from Walt Disney Co, constant efforts to offer high-quality service, and new attractions and events.
