entertainment

Godzilla gets official Tokyo residency papers

16 Comments
By Casey Baseel, RocketNews24

You could make a long list about all the ways Japan is uniquely awesome, but it’s not like every aspect of life in Japan is more enjoyable than in other countries. For example, taking care of paperwork at city hall or other government facilities is as boring as it is anywhere else in the world.

So why is it that last week people have been voluntarily visiting the Shinjuku Ward office in the heart of Tokyo? Because they want to get a copy of the official residency document of the district’s newest resident, Godzilla!

It’s actually been a couple of months since the King of the Monsters moved into the neighborhood. In April, the Toho Cinemas Kabukicho/Hotel Gracery Shinjuku entertainment complex opened up, and the architectural highlight is the full-scale Godzilla head protruding from the theater’s rooftop terrace.

Being a busy part of a busy city, you have to expect at least a little bit of a paperwork backlog from Shinjuku’s civil servants. As of May 25, though, the cinematic icon is officially a resident of Shinjuku Ward, and to celebrate, the powers that be have even drawn up a special residency document listing the star’s name, date of birth, address, and other particulars.

The document reads:

Name: Godzilla Address: Shinjuku-ku, Kabukicho, 1-19-1 Date of birth: April 9, 1954 [the year of the release of the very first Godzilla film] Date of becoming a Shinjuku resident: April 9, 2015 Reason for special residency: Promoting the entertainment of and watching over the Kabuki-cho neighborhood and drawing visitors from around the globe in the form of the Godzilla head built atop the Shinjuku Toho Building. Previous visits to Shinjuku Ward: 3 times; "Godzilla" (1984), "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" (1991), "Godzilla 2000 Millennium" (1999)

Ordinarily, copies of residency documents are only issued to the individual named on the paper or to his or her authorized legal proxy. However, Shinjuku is relaxing the regulations in this case, and has issued 3,000 copies of Godzilla’s paperwork, with 500 allotted to the main ward office (located only a few minutes’ walk from the life-size Godzilla head) and 250 each to 10 other distribution points throughout the ward. These are being given out on a first-come, first-served basis to fans, and while this should technically be a grievous breach of privacy, it seems like Godzilla has magnanimously waived his legal rights to press charges against, step on the house of, or annihilate offenders with his atomic fire breath.

Source: Shinjuku Keizai Shimbun

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Godzilla appears in the Tokyo skyline atop new Shinjuku skyscraper! -- Evangelion and Attack on Titan directors team up to create 2016 Godzilla movie -- Japanese jeweler’s glittering gold Godzilla is amazingly detailed, shockingly expensive

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


16 Comments
Login to comment

What fun. Well done, Shinjuku-ku!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Does this mean Moto 1 and Moto2 will receive official residency as proxy when Godzilla dies? Will Tokyo Tower ever be safe if Godzilla turn back to his old ways has sociopath? Has Godzilla overcame his mental disorder? I am very worry that one morning I turn up for work and my office building has been destroy after one of Godzilla terror tantrums? Where these important matters ever considered or discussed? Like I said I am very worried.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I'd love to pick up two copies of this. Keep one, sell the other on Ebay to some Stateside Godzilla otaku.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Did they check his fingerprints when he arrived at Haneda?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

With all the inane rules those pencil pushers refuse to bend, I find it extremely annoying that this ridiculous move could be undertaken. Next time you have some stupid problem with them, like they refuse your hanko or won't accept your baby's kanji, tell them that if bureaucrats can make Godzilla's residency official, then by God, they can shut up and just keep pushing that pencil.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Actually, Godzilla is a resident of Fukuoka and disguises himself as a middle-aged high school English teacher. I know, because He used to sit next to me in the staff room. He looked the part almost perfectly but the "atomic fire breath" gave him away....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I hope he pays taxes.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Still awaiting a comment whining about how Godzilla can easily gain residency while asylum seekers are suffering at the immigration center.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Where does this guy get off saying that not "every aspect of life in Japan is more enjoyable than in other countries"? Clearly he has not thought deeply enough about Japan's unique awesomeness. With this attitude, maybe he should go back to where he came from!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So he destroys half of Tokyo and gets residency? Welp, I guess I better get crackin cuz Im tired of waitin for my papers!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I got the last one today at 14:20 today!!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

At least he won't rampage until he gets his tax bill, good way to dispose nuclear waste.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Only took him 50 years

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ah Japan.... Where gaijin are animals with no rights, yet a nuclear lizard gets citerzenship for destroying Japam. No, not racist at all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good, glad to hear.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites