Toho CEO Hiro Matsuoka on 'Godzilla Minus One' U.S. Triumph: 'Wasn't a Strategy; We Just Tried' at Tokyo Festival

Toho's North American release of 'Godzilla Minus One' marked a pivotal shift in the Japanese studio's global ambitions, CEO Hiro Matsuoka revealed at the Tokyo International Film Festival on Thursday. Speaking alongside Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer, Matsuoka admitted the film's U.S. success 'wasn't a strategy; we just tried.' The candid remark underscores how the record-breaking monster movie, which earned an Oscar for visual effects, exceeded expectations without a deliberate international roadmap. For Toho, the breakout hit demonstrated the viability of Japanese-language kaiju films in Western markets, prompting a reevaluation of distribution and marketing approaches. The conversation at the festival highlighted broader industry trends, including the Academy's push for global inclusivity and recognition of non-English cinema. As 'Godzilla Minus One' continues to resonate with audiences and awards bodies, Toho's experience signals a new era for Japanese studios eyeing overseas expansion. The lesson: sometimes bold, uncalculated risks yield the biggest rewards.