toho

Toho Co., Ltd., commonly referred to as Toho, is a Japanese film production and distribution company and a major player in Japanese entertainment. It operates as one of the country's largest film studios, overseeing production, distribution, and exhibition through its studios and subsidiaries. The company is part of the Toho Group and is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Founded in 1932 to consolidate Japan's film industry, Toho rose to prominence in the postwar era and helped shape modern Japanese cinema. It built the Toho Studios complex in Tokyo and has produced and distributed a wide range of films across genres. Toho is best known internationally for creating the Godzilla character and the associated kaiju film series, which began in 1954 and became a long-running franchise with numerous sequels and spin-offs.

Beyond Godzilla, Toho has contributed to the careers of many notable directors and has distributed a broad catalog of Japanese and international films. The company engages in licensing and merchandising, television production, and stage productions, including musical theater and live performances, and maintains relationships with international film companies for co-productions and distribution.

Today, Toho remains a central institution in Japanese cinema, balancing traditional film production with modern media distribution, streaming, and rights licensing. Its influence extends to screen entertainment, theater, and related media, both within Japan and internationally.