US EditionJapan will be without a panda for the first time in 50 years after twins leave Tokyo zoo
The return of twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei to China ends nearly 50 years of panda presence in Japan amid chilled diplomatic ties and uncertain future loans.
- Japan will lose its two remaining giant pandas, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, as they are set to be returned to China in late January, leaving none in the country for the first time in around half a century.
- The pandas' return comes amid deteriorating ties between Asia's two largest economies after Japan's new conservative premier hinted that Tokyo could intervene militarily over Taiwan.
- The pandas were loaned from China as part of its 'panda diplomacy' program to symbolize friendship, but their loan period is expiring in February.
75 Articles
75 Articles
Diplomatic relations between China and Japan have reached a new low. The Chinese government decided this week to release the last two giant pandas residing in a Japanese zoo, threatening Japan with panda-free status for the first time in over half a century. The Japanese capital Tokyo has announced that 4-year-old Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei will return to China at the end of January. They had lived at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo since 2021, whe…
Thousands of people gathered at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo to get a last look at panda twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who will be returned to China at the end of January, leaving Japan without pandas for the first time in more than half a century.
For First Time In 50 Years, Japan Will Be Panda-Less As Twins Leave Tokyo
Popular twin pandas at a Tokyo zoo are set to return to their homeland in China in late January, officials said Monday, leaving Japan without a panda for the first time in about half a century.
Two giant bears from Tokyo's zoo will be returned to China in January, reported Japan's mass media months, a movement that could leave Japan without these popular animals for the first time in about 50 years.
Associated Press News
Japan will be without a panda for the first time in 50 years after twins leave Tokyo zoo
Twin pandas at a Tokyo zoo are set to return to China in late January, leaving Japan without a panda for the first time in about 50 years.
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