Toho Expanding Hollywood Operations

Above, Masaharu Ina and Armand at the Hibiya Godzilla statue in February 2014.

Back in the days when I lived in the Los Angeles area and worked on different projects for G-FAN, G-FEST and others, I worked with Toho's Century City (near West Los Angeles) for assistance and permissions.

I haven't been in contact with the Los Angeles office for a number of years, although I did throw a dinner party in October 2015 for several past and present executives of Toho including Masaharu Ina and Shozo Watanabe, who helmed the Century City office. Former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama and director Yoshikazu Ishii also attended. It was in appreciation for all the assistance they had given me over the years.

Above, Shozo Watanabe at Toho Studios in November 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What I am gathering from an article from Slashfilm.com, the L.A. office had been "dormant" for the past several years. But now, it is set for a revival and expansion.

According to the article:

The Japanese studio behind Godzilla is planning to expand to Hollywood. Toho, the movie group responsible for the creation of the iconic giant lizard, is expanding a subsidiary in the U.S. with the goal of working more with Hollywood. This may put in question the fate of Legendary’s mammoth MonsterVerse, the first series of Godzilla films to be completely produced by a Hollywood Studio.  

Variety reported that Toho is expanding to the U.S. through an existing international subsidiary which it is reviving with a $14 million investment. The subsidiary, called Toho International Inc., has existed since 1953 but has long remained dormant until now. 

Toho International Inc., is expanding to Los Angeles as part of a “so-called breakthrough strategy” that is part of Toho’s “Vision 2021 Plan.” This plan consists of Toho implementing an accelerated international strategy and enhanced “character business” centered around the Godzilla property. “We will work toward the full implementation of JAPAN IP (Japanese entertainment content by Toho and others) on a global scale,” the plan says.

Above, the October 2015 dinner party at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

The Variety article had been posted since April, but it is only now that I read it.

To read more, go here.