TOKYO -- Mobilityland, which operates the Honda Motor group's Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, will open a new theme park in Taiwan via a licensing contract.

The company said it will work with the developer of Taroko Park Kaohsiung, a major commercial establishment under construction, to open the park May 9 next to the commercial and shopping facilities.

The Suzuka Circuit Park, spanning some 30,000 sq. meters, will have a racetrack one-tenth the size of that in Mie, with the same layout. Go-karts with a maximum speed of around 70kph will race on the 600-meter course.

Six types of original rides that children operate themselves will be introduced as well, helping them experience driving and learn traffic rules.

With the park just one subway station away from Kaohsiung International Airport, the operator expects 10 million visitors a year for both the park and the commercial facilities.

The Suzuka Circuit in Mie opened in 1962, and Mobilityland is licensing a business to a foreign company for the first time. Mobilityland is open to more such licensing contracts.

(Nikkei)