So why did Gareth Edwards chose San Francisco instead of Tokyo Japan?

FIRST!!! Directors/Authors usually like to decimate the places they are most familiar with or popular within their birth country. This is the same reason why H.G. Wells had London destroyed in his classic book, "War of the Worlds." It could have easily been set in U.S.A because the aliens in that book are a symbol for Communism anyways. Plus, since the Japanese love Godzilla, and since movies about towns/cities in America getting invaded, destroyed, or controlled by some enemy appeals to American audiences, then the movie will favor both sides, thus satisfying both sets of audiences. As for suitimation, I just hope the director and producers make the best choices for the movie.

[b]Godzilla[/b] takes place in both Japan and America. The set photos reveal this as well as the various leaks we've reported. So no need to be disappointed! [b]Godzilla[/b] will seatmate both countries! Haha

Robert Scott Field told us at G-fest last year that the Japanese view of saving face tends to get in the way when making a Godzilla film when the crew scout locations for the movies. Some owners don't like it to see their business crushed by a kaiju. I mean the store or building is remade as a tiny model, but still the owner says no. He or she sees it as bad luck for the business. Over here it's not the case. America, you have people who love to have their place put in a movie for any reason and you earn more money via tourists. I'm sure the Wako dept. store in Tokyo's Ginza district gets that after it was featured in the original 1954 Godzilla movie when Godzilla rips off the clock tower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPO5UBSoHBc