Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei Return to China, No More Pandas Left in Japan

JAKARTA - For the first time in half a century, there are no giant pandas left in Japan, as two panda brothers were repatriated on Tuesday.

Xiao Xiao and his brother Lei Lei left Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan to be taken by truck to Narita Airport and flown to China, quoted from the Belt and Road Portal, Tuesday (27/1).

The twin pandas were born at Ueno Zoo in 2021 from a pair of Ri Ri and Shin Shin, both of which were loaned to Japan for breeding research.

China still owns them and the twins' return period is getting closer based on bilateral lease agreements.

It is planned that Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will arrive at the same facility in Sichuan, China on Wednesday, joining their mother Shin Shin and older sister Xiang Xiang, Kyodo News reported.

Fans wearing panda-themed items gathered around the zoo to escort the pair of pandas, raising their cell phone cameras and shouting "be careful" as the truck pulled out of the gate at around 13:30 to take the pandas away.

"That day has finally arrived," said Kayo Taguchi (57) from Ageo, Saitama Prefecture.

Having visited the zoo for years after being fascinated by pandas since childhood, he said "Spending time with pandas is very healing for me."

The prospect of a new panda loan by China remains uncertain amid tense bilateral relations, following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's statement last year that hinted Japan could take action if there was an attack on Taiwan.

At a Tuesday press conference, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato expressed hope that exchanges through pandas would continue as they have contributed to improving public sentiment in Japan and China.

Referring to the twin pandas having won the hearts of many people in Japan, Sato said, "I hope they will stay healthy and grow in China as well."

It is known that giant pandas have long been valued as a symbol of bilateral friendship between the two countries. Since the first giant panda arrived in the Land of the Rising Sun in 1972 to mark the normalization of friendly relations between the two countries, these animals have attracted public attention.

A pair of pandas at Ueno Zoo became the last two pandas in Japan since June last year, after four other animals at the Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, went to the Bamboo Curtain Country.