Illuminating the Park with Dazzling Lights Powered by Oil Used to Fry Potatoes! The Story Behind Universal Studios Japan's Fascinating New Initiative to Put Waste Oil to Use
- Mar 4th, 2026 UP
-
Universal Studios Japan introduced the brand-new Green Street Illuminations on November 18, 2025. The lights illuminating Green Street run on on-site electricity generated from 100% biodiesel made entirely from waste cooking oil collected in the Park, including leftover oil used to fry potatoes at its restaurants.
Since November 22, 2024, the same type of fuel has been used as a 5% blend with diesel to power the boat engines used at the attraction JAWS.
We spoke with the project leader to find out why Universal Studios Japan is working to reduce its environmental impact in these ways.
Article Summary
• The untold story behind the Green Street Illuminations, which shine bright thanks to the oil used to fry potatoes.
• It's meaningful when Universal Studios Japan does it! The Park's environmental CSR activities, as discussed by the project leader
• Beyond waste cooking oil — efforts toward a sustainable Park under the Recycling-Oriented Society Promotion Project
Advancing With No Stopping Toward a Sustainable Park
"This initiative is so characteristic of USJ, and I think that's what allows Guests to take part in environmental action in such a natural and enjoyable way," Kiyoshi Ebihara relates. As Director of the Facility Services & Development Department, Ebihara oversees efforts, including the adoption of biodiesel as fuel, to reduce USJ's environmental impact.
USJ LLC carries out a wide range of efforts as part of its CSR activities. Why did you decide to launch an initiative to use waste cooking oil?
A few years ago, we learned that the restaurants in the Park were generating large amounts of waste cooking oil. This pushed our team to hold extensive discussions on how we might upcycle the used oil. Amid these discussions, we realized that the boats on JAWS could run on biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil, prompting us to explore various ways to reuse that oil as biodiesel.
The first initiative was to use biodiesel to operate an attraction. What prompted the decision to use it for illuminations this time?
Ever since we started the initiative for the boat engines on JAWS, our goal has been to use 100% biodiesel. When we were exploring other applications, we learned that it could be used in a generator, which led to the idea of using it for illuminations.
We were also looking for more ways to use Green Street, which was introduced this summer as a measure against extreme heat. With Christmas events approaching, we thought that brightening up the Park with illuminations would be the perfect use for the street, prompting us to plan this initiative.
As the illuminations can be enjoyed year-round, I hope that they will serve as a new nighttime highlight of the Park, bringing our Guests joy.
In addition to adopting biodiesel, you have been advancing a range of other environmental initiatives. As you focus on CSR efforts, what mindset or values do you consider most important?
The way I see it, climate change and other environmental problems pose risks that could dramatically alter our day-to-day lives. Our slogan envisions "a future full of children's smiles," but to ensure that this future lasts, we must work to build a circular society.
Environmental issues can be difficult to think about, but through illuminations and other familiar forms of entertainment, we want to keep providing Guests with fun opportunities to build awareness and explore ideas for taking action on environmental issues.
Beyond Waste Cooking Oil — Creative Efforts Toward a Circular Economy
USJ is engaged in CSR efforts organized under three pillars, all aimed at “creating a future full of children's smiles” in line with our slogan, "LOVE HAS NO LIMIT."
One of those pillars is addressing environmental issues. This recent illumination initiative was part of our Recycling-Oriented Society Promotion Project, which goes beyond the use of biodiesel.
In addition to waste cooking oil, we strive to add new value to other waste generated in the Park so that it can be reused. In doing so, we are working toward a system in which resources are produced and consumed locally .
For example, we are reusing food waste from meal preparation by converting it into liquid fertilizer, which is then used for landscaping in the Park. We are also planning to provide this fertilizer to partner farms.
We also upcycle items such as the printed sheets used to hide scaffolding during construction and old wardrobe materials, reusing them to make bags and keychains.
Universal Studios Japan has introduced a new, environmentally friendly attraction to the Park: illuminations powered using renewable energy.
Going forward, USJ LLC will continue to work toward “creating a future full of children's smiles” by tackling environmental issues, aiming to achieve a circular economy by making efficient use of limited resources to reduce our impact on the environment.
