Tokyo’s Last Pandas Return to China, Ending Japan’s Five-Decade Panda Presence

Overview

• Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, born at Ueno Zoo in 2021 to Ri Ri and Shin Shin, were transported by truck on Tuesday local time for repatriation to China.
• Their departure leaves Japan without giant pandas for the first time in more than 50 years.
• The Tokyo Metropolitan Government said the transfer comes about a month before the loan’s scheduled expiration in February.
• The move was announced after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments angered Beijing, with coverage framing the return as part of China’s panda diplomacy.
• Ueno Zoo held a final viewing for about 4,400 lottery winners, and reports say Tokyo is seeking a new pair as China discourages travel to Japan and has, according to some accounts, curtailed rare‑earth exports.