‘Osaka’ Still In Dome

Kyocera, the Kyoto, Japan-based high-tech ceramics manufacturer, has bought the rights to rename the Osaka Dome for five years starting this month. However, due to pressure from local merchants and residents, the company said it has decided to retain the word “Osaka” in the stadium’s name.

Its new name will be Kyocera Osaka Dome.

At the beginning of March, Kyocera announced it would rename the facility, which is the home stadium of the Orix Buffaloes professional baseball team, Kyocera Dome. The company also plans to put the company logo on the Buffaloes baseball team uniforms. The name would be in effect through 2011.

Business owners in the vicinity of the Dome immediately circulated and submitted petitions urging the company to leave Osaka in the name. However, some business leaders still aren’t happy and would prefer that “Kyocera” not appear in the name at all, saying that it is difficult for some businesses to cooperate with the facility when it bears a corporate name.

The stadium is owned by Osaka City Dome, which has sought protection from creditors.

After an unsuccessful attempt to auction off the firm, its administrator asked the Osaka city government for support.