Pandas Leave Japan: A Farewell to Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao
Thursday, 2026/01/29170 words3 minutes1694 reads
Japan has said goodbye to its last two giant pandas, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, as they returned to China. This marks the end of a 50-year presence of pandas in Japan, which began as a symbol of friendship between the two nations.
The four-year-old twins were born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo and have been popular attractions. Hundreds of people gathered to see them off, with many expressing sadness at their departure. The pandas were part of China's 'panda diplomacy' program, where the animals are loaned to other countries as a gesture of goodwill.
Their return comes at a time of strained relations between Japan and China, following comments by Japan's Prime Minister about Taiwan. However, experts suggest that the pandas' departure might not be directly related to these political tensions.
The absence of pandas in Japan has sparked discussions about whether new pandas will be brought in. While some Japanese citizens are eager for new pandas, others believe negotiations with China for more pandas should not be a priority.
