The Reality of The Boy and the Beast: How Did Kyuta Find His Father’s Address?

In Mamoru Hosoda’s film The Boy and the Beast (Official) there is a scene where the protagonist, Kyuta (Ren), returns to the human world for the first time in eight years, only to find that his resident record has been deleted (ex officio deletion).

During the process of restoring his resident record, he discovers the current address of his father, with whom he had lost contact, and eventually reunites with him. At first glance, this development might seem like a mere “cinematic convenience.”

However, when we examine this sequence of events against Japanese laws and administrative procedures, it reveals a depiction that is incredibly realistic.

In this article, based on the analysis we have uncovered so far, I will explain the administrative mechanisms behind why Kyuta was able to find out his father’s address.

*The following text has been thoroughly researched, but there may be some legal inaccuracies. Please view this merely as “Tips for enjoying the movie.”

*This article is an English translation of the original Japanese article, “映画「バケモノの子」のリアリティ：九太はなぜ父の住所を知ることができたのか？”.

The Key Is the “Supplementary Family Register”

When people hear about resident records or status procedures, many might immediately imagine a “Family Register” (Koseki Tohon). However, the biggest key to Kyuta finding his father’s address was not the Family Register itself, but another official document called the “Supplementary Family Register” (Koseki no Fuhyo).

This “Supplementary Family Register” possessed a “procedural necessity” that went beyond mere plot convenience.

The Difference Between “Family Register” and “Supplementary Family Register”

First, it is necessary to understand the decisive difference between these two documents.

The Main Differences Between “Family Register” and “Supplementary Family Register”

Document Name	Main Purpose (What it Proves)	Address Listing
Family Register (Koseki Tohon)	It proves family relationships. (e.g., Who the parents are, when born, who one married)	Current address is not listed at all. (The “Registered Domicile” is listed, but this differs from the current residential address)
Supplementary Family Register (Koseki no Fuhyo)	It proves address history. (e.g., When and where one moved since the family register was created)	It is listed. (If requesting a “Copy for All Members,” it lists the address history from past to present for “everyone” listed in that Family Register)

Calculating backward from the depiction in the film, it implies that Kyuta remained in his father’s family registry. Therefore, when Kyuta obtained the Supplementary Family Register as a “copy for all members in the same registry,” it is believed that his father’s “latest address (registered location of the resident record)” was also listed there because he was in the same registry.

Why Did Kyuta Obtain the “Supplementary Family Register”?

So, why did Kyuta need to obtain the “Supplementary Family Register”? It was because it was indispensable for the procedure of restoring (re-registering) his resident record.

Kyuta had been missing for eight years, and his resident record had undergone “ex officio deletion.” This is a state of being of “no fixed address.” To create (re-register) a resident record again, he needed to prove the following points at the counter:

Of these, point 1, “Proof of Identity,” is possible with the “Family Register.” However, point 2, “Proof of Past Address History,” is mainly done using the “Supplementary Family Register.”

In other words, Kyuta did not go looking for his father’s address for the sake of the plot; he needed the “Supplementary Family Register” to complete the administrative procedure of restoring his own resident record. As a result, his father’s current address was revealed. That is the truth behind this scene.

How Was the Biggest Hurdle, “Identity Verification,” Cleared?

Here, one question remains. Whether it is a “Family Register” or a “Supplementary Family Register,” requesting these documents requires some form of “identity verification.” Did Kyuta, who had been missing for eight years, have “identity verification documents” like a driver’s license or a health insurance card?

He probably did not possess them. So, how could he obtain an official document (Supplementary Family Register) without an ID?

There is a realistic solution to this as well. That is “Oral Verification (Oral Examination).”

Many municipalities in Japan allow “identity verification through oral questioning” as a last resort for citizens who absolutely cannot present identity verification documents.

This is a method where the official looks at the applicant’s “Family Register” information (Registered Domicile, Head of Household, Date of Birth, Parents’ Names, etc.) and asks “information that only the person in question would know.” Identity is verified based on whether the applicant can answer correctly.

It is most realistic to think that Kyuta in the movie also cleared identity verification through this method and obtained the Supplementary Family Register.

Reference: Descriptions Regarding “Oral Verification” by Public Institutions

In fact, multiple public institutions (municipalities) mention this “Oral Verification” on their official websites.

English Translation:
(Note) When the above cannot be presented, we may supplement identity verification through oral questioning, so we ask for your cooperation.

(Original Text in Japanese)
（注）上記のものが提示できないときは、口頭での質問により補充的に本人確認することがありますので、ご協力ください。

Source: Sagamihara City “Question: I want to know how to obtain a copy of the Supplementary Family Register.”, in Japanese

English Translation:
If it cannot be confirmed, we will perform identity verification through oral questioning.

(Original Text in Japanese)
確認できない場合は、口頭質問により本人確認を行います。

Source: Ise City “Fees for Family Register Related Certificates”, in Japanese

English Translation:
Those who do not have documents to verify identity can still apply for issuance, but we will verify identity through oral questioning or other documents.

(Original Text in Japanese)
本人確認ができる書類をお持ちでない方も交付申請はできますが、口頭での質問やその他の書類によって本人確認をさせていただきます。

Source: Kannami Town “Identity Verification When Applying for Resident Records and Family Register Certificates”, in Japanese

English Translation:
If you do not have documents to verify your identity, we will verify your identity by asking questions orally, etc.

(Original Text in Japanese)
本人確認できる書類をお持ちでない場合、口頭等で質問をすることで本人確認をさせていただきます。

Source: Toride City “Presentation of identity verification documents is required when submitting notifications regarding Family Registers or Resident Records, or applying for certificates”, in Japanese

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Summary: The “Restoration of Resident Record” Depicted in the Movie

Summarizing the movie’s depiction, the procedure Kyuta went through can be inferred as follows:

In this way, the scene in The Boy and the Beast can be said to be a depiction with sufficient reality, provided we accept the premise that he “remained in his father’s family registry.”

Furthermore, the fact that they devised a flow where Ren, having returned to the human world, goes through “High School Equivalency Exam ⇒ Resident Record required for application ⇒ Re-registration of Resident Record ⇒ Supplementary Family Register” in order to reunite with his father is nothing short of “Brilliant!”

Reference: Why Was the Resident Record Deleted (Ex Officio Deletion)?

In the first place, why was Kyuta’s resident record “deleted (ex officio deletion)”? This is because Kyuta had been missing for eight years, and the administration determined that there was “no reality of residence” at the registered location of the resident record.

“Ex officio deletion” refers to a procedure where, based on the Basic Resident Registration Act, the municipality deletes a resident record under administrative authority when it determines that “the person does not actually live at the address listed on the resident record.”

The administration confirms the reality of residence through returned mail, information provided by neighbors, or various investigations (usage status of National Health Insurance or Long-Term Care Insurance, etc.). If someone is missing for a long period like Kyuta, the investigation concludes “no reality of residence,” and they become subject to ex officio deletion.

Actually, many municipalities show concrete examples of ex officio deletion as follows:

English Translation:
(Concrete Examples of Ex Officio Deletion)

1. When doubts arise regarding items listed in the resident record due to responses at the counter for resident record transfer tasks, etc.

2. When information regarding a person whose residence is unknown is provided by other departments such as the Tax Division, National Health Insurance Section, Elderly Welfare Division, or administrative agencies due to non-delivery of mail or home visits.

3. When there is a report or notification from relatives, cohabitants, nearby residents, house owners, or house managers that the person is a non-resident.

4. When a notification of moving in does not arrive from the municipality of the new address even after six months have passed since obtaining a moving-out certificate.

5. For foreign nationals, when there is a notification from the Ministry of Justice that they have returned to their home country or that their period of stay has expired.

In such cases, the Citizens’ Division conducts a factual investigation, and when it is determined that there is no reality of residence, ex officio deletion of the resident record is performed.

(Original Text in Japanese)
（職権消除の具体例）

①住民票異動事務の窓口の対応等で、住民票記載事項に疑義が生じた場合

②税務課や国民健康保険係、高齢者福祉課など他所管及び行政機関から、 郵便不達や臨戸訪問等により居住が不明な方の情報提供

③親族及び同居人、近隣の住民等、家屋の所有者又は家屋の管理人などから、 不現住者である旨の申し出や通報があった場合

④転出証明書を取得してから６ヶ月経過後においても、転入先の市区町村から 転入通知が届かない場合

⑤外国人の方で法務省からの帰国した旨の通知や、在留期間満了の通知 があった場合

などにより、住民課が実態調査を行い、居住の実態がないと判断した時に住民票の職権消除を行っております。

Source: Kawasaki Town, Fukuoka Prefecture “Ex Officio Deletion of Resident Record”, in Japanese

English Translation:
When residence at the address on the resident record cannot be confirmed, the city may perform deletion, entry, or correction by ex officio in accordance with laws and regulations.

(Original Text in Japanese)
住民票上の住所での居住が確認できないときなど、法令に則り市が職権による消除又は記載、修正を行うことがあります。

Source: Itoshima City “Let’s Register Residency Correctly.”, in Japanese

Kyuta in the movie was in exactly this state where “residence reality cannot be confirmed” (highly likely corresponding to cases 2 or 3), so his resident record was deleted in accordance with the law and procedures.