The Asahi Shimbun daily said that the cartoon short, entitled "Neck n' Neck", was part of the collection of an anime history researcher, Yasushi Watanabe, who bought it in Osaka while still a high school student some 70 years ago, reports CNN.

At the time the film, which had been given the Japanese title "Mickey Manga Spide", or "Mickey cartoon speedy", cost 500 yen ($4).