Japan's Last Two Pandas Return to China Amid Strained Diplomatic Ties
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News18•25-01-2026, 12:00
Japan's Last Two Pandas Return to China Amid Strained Diplomatic Ties
- •Twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are returning to China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, leaving Japan without pandas for the first time in 50 years.
- •The departure highlights strained relations between Tokyo and Beijing, making the acquisition of new pandas unlikely.
- •Pandas have historically been a symbol of goodwill, with China first sending them to Japan in 1972 to normalize diplomatic ties.
- •Devoted fans, like Takahiro Takauji, have documented the pandas' lives, expressing sadness over their departure and the diplomatic implications.
- •The absence of pandas is projected to cause an annual economic loss of about 20 billion yen for the Ueno Zoo and surrounding businesses.
Why It Matters: Japan's last two pandas are returning to China, symbolizing worsening diplomatic ties and leaving a significant void.
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