By TOMOYOSHI KUBO/ Staff Writer
August 25, 2025 at 07:00 JST
A picture image of the faculty building of the Faculty of Dinosaur Paleontology at Fukui Prefectural University (Provided by the Fukui prefectural government)
FUKUI--Dinosaurs have never been hotter, with the recent opening of the latest "Jurassic Park" movie installment and the debut of the dinosaur-themed attractions at the new Junglia Okinawa park.
Now, the public is being offered the chance to help fund the construction of a faculty building for the new Faculty of Dinosaur Paleontology at Fukui Prefectural University in the heart of Japan's "dinosaur kingdom."
The Fukui prefectural government issued 1.4 billion yen ($9.5 million) of public bonds titled the “Kyoryu Gakubu Oen Bond" (Faculty of Dinosaur Paleontology Support Bonds).
According to the university and private school division of the Fukui prefectural government, the initial response has been favorable among the public.
“We encourage those who want to support the Faculty of Dinosaur Paleontology at Fukui Prefectural University to purchase early before they sell out," said a division official. "We also hope these bonds will help promote the faculty nationwide.”
The new dinosaur studies faculty opened in April, and its new building is currently under construction next to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama. The building is scheduled to open in the spring of next year.
The total construction cost is estimated to be about 2.86 billion yen, with the prefecture issuing bonds to cover half of the amount, or 1.4 billion yen.
The bonds offer an annual interest rate of 1.164 percent (before tax) and have a five-year maturity date.
They are targeted at individuals and corporations wishing to support the Faculty of Dinosaur Paleontology and can be purchased in units starting from 10,000 yen.
Buyers who purchase bonds worth 500,000 yen or more will receive featured faculty products.
Applications are being accepted from Aug. 8 to 27 at financial institutions including Fukui Bank and SMBC Nikko Securities.
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Crocodile-like robot completes dinosaur project at Fukui Station
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