Incredible but true, in 2015 the kaiju Godzilla obtained real civil status recognized by the government: a Japanese citizenship title, as well as an address and date of birth.
Japan has given birth to countless Kaiju-like creatures. However, the most iconic, and probably the most recognized around the world, is Godzilla – who recently shone in the very limited but widely acclaimed Godzilla Minus One and who will soon be found alongside Kong in Godzilla x Kong: The New Kingdom.
But did you know that the beast was a real citizen of Japan? And, yes, in 2015, Tokyo finally recognized Godzilla’s fame by officially making the King of the Monsters a Japanese citizen. On his official citizenship certificate, his address is Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho, 1-19-1 (where the famous Godzilla statue dominates the Shinjuku Toho building) and his date of birth is November 3, 1954 (release date of the first Godzilla by Ishirō Honda).
His residence card also specifies that “Godzilla’s head built on top of the Shinjuku Toho building has become a new symbol” And “aims to spread the charm of the city throughout the world” and of “watch over the city where people from all over the world gather and have fun.”
The document also mentions Godzilla’s three visits to the Shinjuku district: in Godzilla (1984), in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) and in Godzilla 2000 (1999). The Shinjuku municipal office also distributed 3,000 limited copies of the certificate to fans.
Godzilla was named Shinjuku’s tourism ambassador with a mission to continue attracting tourists and make Kabuki-cho a fun and safe destination for people from all over the world.
Take a look at some of the eerie footage of Godzilla getting his citizenship in the post below:
“Godzilla is officially declared a special resident and tourism ambassador of Japan. His citizenship certificate lists his address as Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho, 1-19-1, which is the location of the large Godzilla head at the Gracery Hotel. His date of birth is April 9, 1954.”
NB: after translating the document, we can read that Godzilla’s date of birth is November 3, 1954 (and not April 9). It is also indicated that the date of issue of the card is April 9, 2015.
Find Godzilla soon in theaters in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire which will be released in theaters on April 3, 2024. In the meantime, rediscover the trailer for the highly acclaimed Godzilla Minus One below.