When Does the Novel "Godzilla" (1998) Take Place?

"GODZILLA" is an adventure horror (kaiju) novel written by Stephen Molstad [adapting "Godzilla" (1998) by Terry Rossio with Ted Elliott, Don Macpherson, Dean Devlin, and Roland Emmerich] that released June 1st, 1998. So when is "Godzilla" set? 


It takes place in the year: 

1997 AD 

We know this because . 

Additionally, the novel includes a prologue in which Doctor Niko Tatopoulos explains why he has written this book and it is written from the perspective of 'the present' looking back on his adventure. As such, the prologue is unplaceable other than taking place later than the main action. 

Additionally, though it is a faux-found document from within the world of "Godzilla", Nick describes "a series of short films that I believe give us important clues as to the creature's genesis. These films, shot on 16mm color film back in 1963, were made by a group of French nuclear scientists"... and then soon after "By themselves, the films prove nothing. " So while inconclusive, 1963 AD seems the best year we can pinpoint for this.