For theme park strategist Tsuyoshi Morioka, it was clear that a little Harry Potter magic might lift the fortunes of Universal Studios Japan as it struggled with falling ticket sales.
The Osaka theme park launched its wizard's attraction in July, and has since enjoyed visitor records for three months in a row.
The success has brought corporate fame to 42-year-old Morioka, an executive officer with operator USJ Co., yet his proposal to invite the attraction from Universal Orlando Resort in Florida initially met with opposition over the extremely high costs involved.