Thousands of Japanese fans bid an emotional farewell to twin pandas Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo today, just two days before the beloved animals return to China. This departure marks the first time in decades that Japan will be without any giant pandas.

A total of 4,400 online lottery winners had the opportunity to view Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao. Outside the zoo, many other fans, wearing panda-themed apparel and carrying panda dolls, gathered to express their affection.

Panda Lei Lei eats in its enclosure at Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, Japan on 25/1. *Photo: AFP*

The farewell evoked strong emotions, with some visitors shedding tears as they watched the pandas eat bamboo. Gen Takahashi, a 39-year-old Tokyo resident, expressed a desire for the pandas' return. 'I feel that seeing pandas helps create a connection with China, so I truly want these animals to return to Japan again. Children also adore pandas. If I could see them in Japan, I would definitely go,' he said.

Mayuko Sumida, a resident of Aichi prefecture, traveled for hours to Tokyo hoping to catch a glimpse of the pandas, despite not winning the lottery. She described the animals' appeal: 'These animals are so big, their movements are funny, and sometimes they act like humans. I am completely captivated. It's sad that Japan will no longer have any pandas,' she stated.

Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao were loaned to Japan by China as part of the 'panda diplomacy' program. This initiative has symbolized bilateral friendship since the two countries normalized relations in 1972.

Visitors photograph panda Xiao Xiao at Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, Japan on 25/1. *Photo: AFP*

Ueno Zoo announced in 12/2025 that the pandas would be returned to China one month earlier than planned, before their loan period concludes in 2/2026. This decision followed a deterioration in relations between the two nations.

The strained ties stemmed from comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Japan's potential military intervention if Taiwan were attacked. Her remarks angered Beijing, which consistently views Taiwan as a province awaiting unification. China prioritizes peaceful means but states readiness to use force if necessary.

Masaki Ienaga, an international relations expert, suggested that while the zoo's decision might not be politically motivated, a future return of pandas could indicate warming Tokyo-Beijing relations. 'If both sides intend to improve bilateral relations in the future, the decision to bring pandas back to Japan could be discussed,' he explained.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)