Evangelion short film announced to be released next February

In this week’s news roundup, we report on the new Neon Genesis Evangelion short that will be released next February. A fire broke out at a sauna facility in central Tokyo, killing a couple. Former Ito City Mayor Maki Takuyasu failed to be re-elected. Akira Ogawa announced that he will run for the upcoming mayoral election in Maebashi Prefecture. Japan’s last giant pandas are also leaving Ueno Zoo.

Neon Genesis Evangelion short film to be screened on giant LED screen for three days

On Thursday, it was announced that a new Evangelion short film will premiere in February 2026. The 13-minute film, written and supervised by Hideaki Anno, will be screened at Yokohama’s Neon Genesis Evangelion: 30+ Festival, a three-day fan celebration that blends music, art and performance, scheduled to begin on February 21 next year. Naoyuki Asano serves as director, and veterans such as Kazuya Tsurumaki are also involved.

The film will be screened daily for ticket holders on a giant LED screen. Details about the story and characters have yet to be revealed. This is part of the series’ 30th anniversary celebrations. The series Neon Genesis Evangelion It was first broadcast on TV Tokyo on October 4, 1995. The latest issue is Neon Genesis Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 three timesto be released in 2021.

Emergency alarm system shuts down in case of fire at Tokyo sauna facility

A fire broke out in a private room at a sauna facility in Akasaka Ward, Minato Ward, Tokyo on Monday, killing two people. a married couple, Confirmed Masanari Matsuda, 36, and Yoko Matsuda, 37, were found lying unconscious near the room’s entrance. They were taken to hospital and confirmed dead.

An employee at the facility told investigators that power to the receiver panels connected to each sauna’s emergency buttons was turned off at the time of the incident. According to staff, they have not turned on the power since 2023. It was also found that the inner and outer handles of the wooden door handle of the room fell off and fell to the floor.

Live images of vote of no confidence | SBS

Maki Takubo loses re-election bid

Former mayor of Ito City in Shizuoka Prefecture, Takuyasu Maki, lost his re-election bid to independent newcomer Kazuya Sugimoto on Sunday. Nine candidates ran for mayor, and Okubo was removed from office after it was discovered that her statement about Toyo University’s graduation was false. She still refuses to resign. However, the city council passed a motion of no confidence in her.

Takubo received 4,131 votes, ranking third. Sugimoto, who was supported by the National Democratic Party, won with 13,522 votes. “I will push the deadlocked city government forward,” Sugimoto said. “I will prove that I can change Ito City,” he added. Tatsuya Ono, who was succeeded as mayor by Takubo in May, came in second with 10,962 votes. She has the support of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Akira Ogawa to run for Maebashi mayor again despite scandal over tryst with city official

Akira Ogawa, another mayor forced to resign this year, announced this week that she will run in the upcoming mayoral election in Maebashi Prefecture. She resigned in November after weeks of controversy over repeated stays at love hotels with married staff. The City Council has been pressuring Ogawa to resign. It also plans to file a motion of no-confidence against her.

Weekly website news post seven revealed the story of her visit to a love hotel in September. After the incident came to light, Ogawa held a press conference to deny reports that she had an affair with the employee. However, she admitted to going to the hotel with the man on several occasions. Ogawa will find out on January 12, 2026, whether her re-election is successful.

Finnish Prime Minister Petri Orpo | Wikimedia

Finnish Prime Minister apologizes to people in China, Japan and South Korea

Finnish Prime Minister Petri Orpo issued a statement on Wednesday apologizing to the people of China, Japan and South Korea after Finnish politicians posted photos and videos on social media of making the side-eye gesture, which is often seen as a racist symbol against Asians. The politicians belong to the country’s right-wing Finns party, part of the four-party ruling coalition.

“These posts do not reflect Finnish values ​​of equality and inclusion,” Orpo said. “Our message to Finland and all our friends abroad is that the government takes racism seriously and is committed to combating this problem.” Politicians said they posted the photos in support of Sarah Dzafce, who was stripped of her Miss Finland title last week after she uploaded a photo of herself making a sideways gesture.

Giant panda cubs “Xiaoxiao” and “Leilei” will return to China in 2026 | Picture from X Ueno Zoo

Japan’s last giant pandas are leaving Ueno Zoo

On Monday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced that Japan’s last remaining giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, will leave the country at the end of January. The final date when visitors can see them at Ueno Zoo is January 25, 2026. As they prepare to return to China, crowds are expected to flock to the zoo to get a final glimpse of them and a bittersweet farewell.

The twins were born to Ri Ri and Shin Shin, who arrived in Japan in 2011 and returned to China in September 2024. Their sister Xiangxiang was sent back to China in February 2023. Earlier this year, four pandas from Adventureland in Wakayama Prefecture were returned to China. The departures of Xiaoxiao and Lei Lei will leave Japan without pandas for the first time since 1972.

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Updated on December 19, 2025