Japan's 50-Year Panda Era Ends as Beloved Twin Pandas Return to China Amid Diplomatic Tensions

The beloved twin pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens will conclude their public appearances on January 25, marking the end of an era.

Tokyo is preparing to bid farewell to its popular twin pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who are scheduled to return to China in late January, leaving Japan without any pandas for the first time in approximately 50 years.

The 4-year-old twins, born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2021, have been a major attraction for visitors. Though raised in Japan, they remain Chinese property under the loan agreement that requires their return by February.

Their parents, Shin Shin and Ri Ri, already returned to China last year after being loaned to Japan for breeding research since 2011.

According to the Tokyo metropolitan government, January 25 will be the final day for the public to view the twin pandas before their departure.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized the longstanding affection Japanese people have for pandas and expressed hope for the continuation of panda diplomacy between the two nations.

"Exchanges through pandas have contributed to improving the public sentiment between Japan and China, and we hope the relationship will continue," stated Kihara. He also mentioned that numerous local municipalities and zoos have expressed interest in hosting new pandas in the future.

The first pair of pandas arrived in Japan from China in 1972, symbolizing the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Since then, Japan has continuously hosted at least one panda at all times.

Giant pandas, indigenous to southwestern China, serve as an unofficial national mascot for China. Beijing lends these beloved animals to other countries as goodwill gestures while maintaining ownership of the pandas and any cubs they produce.

The panda departure comes amid deteriorating relations between Japan and China, especially after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's November statement suggesting potential military involvement if China were to take action against Taiwan.

In response, China has implemented restrictions on tourism to Japan, while various cultural events and exchanges between local governments have been canceled. Tensions escalated further this month when Chinese military drills involving an aircraft carrier near southern Japan prompted Tokyo to scramble fighter jets. Japan also protested that its aircraft were targeted by radar-locking, which could indicate preparation for missile firing.