Japan's new landmark Grand Front Osaka attracts record number of visitors

The Grand Front Osaka that was opened in April this year has recorded a total of 7.61 million visitors in the first month, breaking the record of popular sightseeing spot "Tokyo Sky Tree".

Spanning across a vast 7 hectares land in the heart of Osaka, the Grand Front Osaka has been developed by 12 companies, including ORIX, Japan's leading financial conglomerate.

The most popular facility over here is the knowledge capital which provides business related facilities like rental offices and multipurpose theatre.

It also has an area for kids and adults to learn and experience Japan's state-of-the-art science and technology, and a communication space to support the interaction between companies and consumers.

The fisheries laboratory of Kinki University, which has been studying the cultivation of tuna fish, showcased its achievements by opening a booth serving tuna dishes at reasonable price.

Apart from the eateries, there are showrooms facilitating various hand-on experiences.

The Grand Front Osaka also contributes to the promotion of Japan's business and international exchange.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Knowledge Capital recently co-hosted an inspection which was attended by various Asian and European diplomats stationed in the consulate general in Osaka.

Manopchai Vongphakdi from the Royal Thai Consulate General, who was present at the event remarked, "I was intrigued by the facility. I think it's a great idea to have a place where people from various fields can share their thoughts and ideas. There is already a close relationship between Thailand and Japan, but I hope Knowledge Capital will enhance collaboration of the two countries with imaginative ideas and Japan's strong technologies".

The knowledge capital provides opportunities to create new business models by giving a platform to researchers, creators and businessmen to collaborate and showcase their innovations.

"In a world of uncertainty, revolutionary ideas will not be generated from a group of members within the same field. Our aim is to bring in innovations by providing a space to facilitate interactions and relationships among people with different backgrounds", said the General Producer of Grand Front Osaka, Mr.Takuya Nomura.

The Knowledge capital is expected to encourage new products and services, convey new values to the world and realize new business models.