Tokyo's Ueno Zoo said farewell to twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei as they prepare to return to China, leaving Japan without pandas for the first time since diplomatic ties began in 1972. Public interest was intense: 4,400 viewing slots attracted roughly 108,000 applicants and some visitors waited up to 3.5 hours. The move reflects routine conservation loan agreements under "panda diplomacy," amid a backdrop of cooled Japan–China relations after comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
Japan Bids Farewell to Its Last Giant Pandas as Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei Return to China
Visitors watch giant panda Xiao Xiao at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo in November. Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei will return to China on Tuesday, leaving Japan with no pandas. File Photo by Franck Robichon/EPA
People flocked to Tokyo's Ueno Zoo to say goodbye to the nation's final resident giant pandas, twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who are scheduled to depart for China on Tuesday. Their departure will leave Japan without any giant pandas for the first time since 1972, the year diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.
Public Response and Final Visits
The Tokyo metropolitan government required reservations for the farewell viewing: 4,400 slots were made available and roughly 108,000 people applied online. Some visitors waited up to three and a half hours to see the pair, underscoring the high public interest.
"I have been bringing my son here since he was a baby, so I hope it becomes a good memory for him. I'm glad we could come today to remember them," said Ai Shirakawa, speaking to the BBC.
Origins and Family
Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in Japan in 2021 to mother Shin Shin and father Ri Ri, who were on loan for breeding research. Both Shin Shin and Ri Ri returned to China in September 2024. The cubs’ older sister, Xiang Xiang, left Japan in February 2023, and four other pandas at Adventure World in Shirahama were returned to China in June, making these twins the last remaining pandas in Japan.
Panda Diplomacy and Political Context
China has long used giant pandas as a diplomatic goodwill gesture—often referred to as "panda diplomacy." Host institutions typically pay about $1 million per year as part of loan agreements that emphasize breeding research and conservation cooperation. The twins' departure coincides with cooler Japan–China ties after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about potential Japanese involvement if China attacked Taiwan, a comment that has increased political sensitivity between the neighbors.
What Happens Next: Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will be transferred back to China as part of the standard loan arrangements; zoo officials say the move prioritizes the animals' long-term care and breeding programs coordinated with Chinese conservation authorities.
Note: All facts in this article are drawn from initial reports by UPI and related public statements from Tokyo metropolitan authorities and zoo officials.
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