However, while going through the photos on his camera, Ryōta discovers a cache of photos of himself, mostly sleeping, that Keita took, and he breaks down crying. Ryōta and Midori begin to bond with Ryūsei, who is also warming up to them. Ryōta picks up Ryūsei and brings him back home. All four parents have difficulty accepting the loss of their previous sons, and the absence of the parents they used to know causes both boys to shut down emotionally, culminating in Ryūsei running away from the Nonomiya's home and returning to the Saiki's. After several more meetings, they finally decide to exchange children permanently. After several meetings, they decide to exchange children for one Saturday. They share photos, and for the first time, Ryōta and Midori see their biological son, Ryūsei. Ryōta and Midori soon meet with the other couple, Yukari and Yūdai Saiki, small town folks who lack the money and drive that Ryōta possess, but who have a better understanding of the importance of child and parent bonds. After arriving at the hospital, the couple learns that their biological son Ryūsei was switched with Keita at birth, and after DNA tests prove the error, they must now make a life-changing decision to either keep Keita, the boy they raised as their own son, or exchange him for their biological son. Upon his return home one day, Midori tells him that the hospital where Keita was born urgently needs to speak to them, and Ryōta senses trouble. Ryōta Nonomiya is a successful architect who is focused so much on work that he neglects his wife, Midori, and son, Keita.
The film was also shown at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, and won both the Rogers People's Choice Award at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival and the Wuaki.TV Audience Award at the 2013 San Sebastián International Film Festival. The award sparked a significant response in Japan, and the national theatrical release was brought forward by a week, on 28 September 2013. In ceremony, it won the Jury Prize and a commendation from the Ecumenical Jury. After the screening, the audience welcomed the film with a ten-minute standing ovation, and director Kore-eda and Fukuyama were moved to tears.
It premiered on at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or. Like Father, Like Son ( そして父になる, Soshite Chichi ni Naru) is a 2013 Japanese drama film edited, written, and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, starring Masaharu Fukuyama in his first role as a father.