3-meter Godzilla statue appears in Tokyo

March 22, 2018

Tokyo- A ceremony was held on Thursday to unveil a 3-meter-tall statue of popular Japanese movie monster Godzilla in central Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.

The statue was created as a symbol of Hibiya Godzilla Square, renovated open space in front of commercial complex Hibiya Chanter.

The statue is modeled on the monster featured in "Shin Godzilla," the 29th in the popular movie series, which was released in 2016.

It is the largest whole-body, three-dimensional Godzilla statue ever created in Japan. The height of the statue includes a 50-centimeter pedestal.

The old Godzilla statue, erected in 1995 in the space, will be transferred to movie theater Toho Cinemas Hibiya, which will open on March 29 in an adjacent area. The theater will be operated by Toho Cinemas Ltd., a subsidiary of movie distributor Toho Co..

Thursday's ceremony was joined by Japanese actress Yasuko Sawaguchi, who appeared in two Godzilla movies, including "The Return of Godzilla," released in 1984.

"The statue is impressive and looks as if it's going to start moving at any moment. But I feel an affinity for it," Sawaguchi said. She also said she is sure that the statue will become a new symbol of Hibiya. Jiji Press