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The last 2 pandas in Japan are leaving for China as ties are strained
The departure of panda twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei ends Japan's 54-year run with giant pandas amid diplomatic tensions, with 4,400 lottery winners bidding farewell at Ueno Zoo.
- 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`.
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The lucky winners of the draw had a minute to say good-bye to Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, two twin pandas who were preparing to leave Japan on Tuesday in the midst of growing tensions with China. It was not easy to get to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo to see the beloved Chinese diplomats for the last time, but crowds of visitors came. Since December, when the imminent departure of the pandas was announced, about 4800 people a day — almost 200,000 in total — …
The Xiao Xiao games and Lei Lei arrived this Thursday at Chengdu, according to the Chinese Association for the Conservation of Selfage. "Regression" is due to tension between Japan and China.
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Total News Sources215
Leaning Left45Leaning Right27Center62Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 34%
C 46%
R 20%
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