US EditionThe last 2 pandas in Japan are leaving for China as ties are strained
Japan's last two pandas generated an estimated 30 billion yen in economic impact; their return follows diplomatic tensions over Taiwan-related remarks by Prime Minister Takaichi.
- Ueno Zoological Gardens announced on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, that male giant panda Xiao Xiao and female giant panda Lei Lei will leave for China, leaving Japan panda-free for the first time since 1972.
- Amid rising Tokyo–Beijing tensions, the return was timed before the loan expiry as officials announced last month amid a diplomatic spat after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted Tokyo could intervene over Taiwan.
- Fans packed Ueno Zoo for the final viewing on Sunday, with 4,400 lucky winners attending one-minute sessions while many wore panda-themed items and photographers captured thousands of images.
- Katsuhiro Miyamoto cautioned the economic fallout could be large as the absence of pandas would cause an annual loss of about 20 billion yen, and Tokyo’s efforts to secure new pandas face uncertain prospects.
- Since 1972, China has used pandas as goodwill ambassadors, but Beijing has discouraged travel and delayed consular approvals; Gen Takahashi said, `I really would like pandas to come back to Japan again`.
200 Articles
200 Articles
Japan bids farewell to last giant pandas as pair leave for China
TOKYO, Japan – Hundreds of Japanese panda lovers bid an emotional farewell to the country’s last two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, as they left Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo for China on Tuesday, January 27. Spectators, braving the winter cold and some wearing panda hats and waving flags, held up their smartphones to record the moment as a truck carrying the zoo’s star attractions left for Narita Airport. The departure of the four-year-old twins for a…
The twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao must be transported by truck from the zoo of Ueno, where they were born, to the great disarray of their admirers.
A scene of departure took the zoologist of Vienna, in Tokyo, on this Sunday (25). visitors gathered before the recent giant bands Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, which will leave Japan raw in China, which hold the property of animals. The repatriation takes place at a time of climbing diplomatic tensions between the two Asian countries. According to the Chinese state agency Xinhua, the flags will leave on this Wednesday (27). In December, the Japanese go…
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