Berjaya Corp Bhd founder and adviser Tan Sri Vincent Tan (fifth from left) and Mayor of Onna Village Nagahama Yoshimi (fourth from left) at the groundbreaking ceremony of Four Seasons Okinawa (Photo by Rachel Chew)

OKINAWA (March 4): Berjaya Land Bhd on Monday announced the commencement of construction for its second hotel development in Okinawa, Japan — Four Seasons Resort & Private Residences Okinawa (Four Seasons Okinawa). The 32-acre resort and residences development has a gross development value of US$1.12 billion (RM5.29 billion) and is poised to be the most luxurious beach resort in Okinawa.

Berjaya Land’s first hotel in Okinawa is Ansa Hotel, which is located in Uruma, the third-largest city in Okinawa. The company acquired and refurbished the 14-acre hotel for US$24 million and reopened its doors in 2019.

The upcoming Four Seasons Okinawa is located along the Sunset Strip, the western coast of the island. The sea-fronting Four Seasons Okinawa offers 127 resort rooms, 124 condominiums and 28 villas. The condominiums and villas will be opened for sales at an estimated selling price of US$3,500 psf and US$4,000 psf, respectively.

“Both the resort and private residences will be managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, providing five-star services and facilities to the resort guests and owners of the private residences.... Okinawa is a small island but a popular tourist destination that receives 8.22 million tourists [from] around the world every year. When we talked to Four Seasons to develop the resort and residences in Okinawa, it was a no-brainer decision for them,” said Berjaya Corp Bhd founder and adviser Tan Sri Vincent Tan during the press conference of the groundbreaking ceremony here on Monday.

He is confident with the demand of the private residences, owing to the scarcity of supply for such products in Okinawa. He is also expecting the private residences to contribute a net profit of at least US$400 million to the group.

Four Seasons Okinawa is the second hotel for which Berjaya Land is partnering with Four Seasons in Japan. The first one is Four Seasons Kyoto, which has opened since 2016 with an average room occupancy rate of 60% to 70%.

“We are aiming to set a new standard of excellence in Okinawa’s hospitality. Four Seasons Okinawa is part of our bigger 100-acre master plan in the Sunset Strip. It is strategically located near major tourist attractions, such as the famous Cape Manzomo. We are looking to turn the tract into a new tourist destination in Okinawa,” said Tan in his welcome speech.

While the development of the remaining 68 acres is still being finalised, he shared that the company has been receiving partnership and collaboration proposals, such as to build a premium outlet.

The groundbreaking ceremony of Four Seasons Okinawa was officiated by the Mayor of Onna Village Nagahama Yoshimi, witnessed by Tan, Berjaya Land group CEO Syed Ali Shahul Hammed and other key representatives from Onna Village, Berjaya Group and business associates.

Meanwhile, commenting on impact of the continued boycott on US food and beverage brand Starbucks due to Israel-Palestine conflict, Tan said the boycott is “unnecessary” as the US brand does not own any share in Malaysia’s operation. Berjaya Food Bhd is primarily engaged in developing and operating the Starbucks brand in Malaysia and Brunei.

“We do not have any foreigners working in any of our Malaysia’s Starbucks branches, and the headquarters in the US does not hold any share in Malaysia’s operation. The boycott is unnecessary. I think many people have realised that, and we are seeing the return of customers. I believe the trend reflects our upcoming third quarter financial result. Our [Berjaya Food] third quarter result is expected to perform better,” said Tan.