Authorities Inspect Universal Studios Japan for Alleged Explosives Violations
TOKYO (AP World) -- Authorities inspected Universal Studios Japan's theme park on Wednesday to deter-mine whether the company violated its explosives permit by using and storing more than it was allowed. Police and city investigators were checking the company's records for evidence that employees may have been detonating too much explosive material for shows at the park in the western city of Osaka. Universal Studios' permits restrict each show to less than 24 kilograms (10.8 pounds) of explosives a day. Investigators were also searching four storage closets on suspicion that employees packed them with more explosives than the legal limit of 25 kilograms (11.3 pounds). It wasn't clear how soon officials would finish the probe. If the com-pany isn't cleared by Thursday, it would be forced to stop using explosives in four shows — WaterWorld, Uni-versal Monsters Live Rock And Roll Show, Hollywood Magic and Wild, Wild, Wild West Stunt Show. Only Hol-lywood Magic approaches the limit, using 23.67 kilograms in one show daily. It was the second time in a week that the company had been stung by problems at its park. On Monday, the company shut off the refrigerated drinking fountains at the park after health officials found high levels of bacteria in the fountains' water. None was sickened by the water, which health officials said didn't pose a health threat.
TOKYO (AP World) -- Authorities inspected Universal Studios Japan's theme park on Wednesday to deter-mine whether the company violated its explosives permit by using and storing more than it was allowed. Police and city investigators were checking the company's records for evidence that employees may have been detonating too much explosive material for shows at the park in the western city of Osaka. Universal Studios' permits restrict each show to less than 24 kilograms (10.8 pounds) of explosives a day. Investigators were also searching four storage closets on suspicion that employees packed them with more explosives than the legal limit of 25 kilograms (11.3 pounds). It wasn't clear how soon officials would finish the probe. If the com-pany isn't cleared by Thursday, it would be forced to stop using explosives in four shows — WaterWorld, Uni-versal Monsters Live Rock And Roll Show, Hollywood Magic and Wild, Wild, Wild West Stunt Show. Only Hol-lywood Magic approaches the limit, using 23.67 kilograms in one show daily. It was the second time in a week that the company had been stung by problems at its park. On Monday, the company shut off the refrigerated drinking fountains at the park after health officials found high levels of bacteria in the fountains' water. None was sickened by the water, which health officials said didn't pose a health threat.