Godzilla helps promote rather than destroy new Tokyo building

[yuiyoshida]

A 12-meter-high Godzilla figure roars during a sound-and-light show at a new commercial complex in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Godzilla, famous for tearing down buildings in central Tokyo, is now helping a skyscraper that has just gone up.

The new commercial complex in the Shinjuku shopping and entertainment district of Japan's capital will shudder on a nightly basis with the roar of the nation's most famous sci-fi creation.


A giant hand appears to slam through the wall of a Godzilla-themed room in a new hotel in Tokyo. Chieko Tsuneoka/The Wall Street Journal

The complex is a redevelopment of an old Toho Co. theatre in Shinjuku's Kabukicho neighborhood. Toho also owns the rights to the Godzilla character. The new attractions include one of the largest cinema complexes in Tokyo, a skyscraper hotel, and a 12-meter-high replica of the mutated dinosaur's head.

"Until now Godzilla has been simply destroying, but we hope it will now contribute to the prosperity of Kabukicho and Shinjuku," said Minami Ichikawa, head of Toho's movie division, at a ceremony ahead of the opening of part of the complex on April 17.

- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/godzilla-helps-promote-rather-destroy-new-tokyo-building#sthash.81mcWNy2.dpuf

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2015/04/10/godzilla-helps-promote-rather-than-destroy-new-tokyo-building/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=japanblog

Tokyo appoints Godzilla as special resident, tourism ambassador


TOKYO (AP) — Godzilla has stomped so many buildings in Japan the irradiated monster is getting appointed special resident and tourism ambassador for Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward.

In honor, a Godzilla-size head towering 52-meters (171 feet) above ground level was unveiled Thursday at an office of Toho, the studio behind the 1954 original.

Toho is shooting a comeback film this year after a decade-long hiatus.

Godzilla’s standing as an icon has had its ups and downs, but its stature has been reinstated after the Hollywood “Godzilla,” released last year, was a global hit.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/132039/tokyo-appoints-godzilla-as-special-resident-tourism-ambassador/

[AsahinaKimi]

1. go! go! go!

gojira go!!!