Godzilla Rehabilitated As Tourism Ambassador

Where the fictional fire-breathing creature Godzilla treads - death and destroyed buildings usually follow.

But this has not stopped one district of Tokyo welcoming the monster with open arms, appointing it a special resident and tourism ambassador.

Fans were treated to a Godzilla-size head, measuring 52 metres (171ft) high, at the ceremony in Shinjuku ward.

The giant lizard's standing as an icon has had its ups and downs, but its stature was restored after Hollywood's Godzilla movie which became a global hit in 2014.

Now Toho - the Japanese studio behind the 1954 original film which was seen as a classic - is making a comeback movie this year after a decade-long break.

And Japan is hoping the biggest star in this nation's movie history will help lure tourists.

At the ceremony, an actor in a rubber suit waddled to meet Shinjuku mayor Kenichi Yoshizumi.

However, Toho executive Minami Ichikawa had to accept the residency certificate instead of the creature, as the suit's claws were unable to grab anything.

Mr Yoshizumi said: "Godzilla is a character that is the pride of Japan."

"I hear that any town Godzilla destroys on screen will become prosperous afterwards. So I hope the next movie will take place in this area."

The fire-breathing "gojira" - as it is pronounced in Japanese, combining "gorilla" and "kujira," or "whale" - was born a genetic aberration, caused by nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean.

The reptilian mutation also symbolised a national trauma over the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War Two.

Over the years, Godzilla has demolished Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, the Parliament building and several castles in Japan, as well as Golden Gate Bridge and other parts of San Francisco in Hollywood versions.

Shinjuku ward has not been spared, as it was flattened in three Toho movies.

But Mr Ichikawa told reporters that where the monster will show up in the new movie was still to be decided.