The director of "Godzilla Minus One," Yamazaki Takashi, has returned to Japan with the Academy Award for best visual effects in tow.

The movie is the first Asian production to win the Oscar in the category, and Yamazaki says the honor could be a watershed moment for Japan's film industry.

The film depicts Godzilla raining fiery destruction on postwar Japan. Much of the action was created using computer-generated visual effects.

Yamazaki said "I always thought of the Oscar for best visual effects as extremely sacred ground. But that ground has now been liberated. I felt a sense of generosity and openness."

He also said he was happy to know that North American audiences had accepted a movie with subtitles and an entirely Japanese cast.

Yamazaki added he believes the Oscar could encourage filmmakers in Japan to create works that cater to both domestic and international audiences.