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Japan Says Goodbye to Last Pandas Amid Tensions with China

KVIA•Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 9:20 AM•CNN Newsource

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Japan's Ueno Zoo is bidding farewell to its last two pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who are set to return to China on Tuesday. Their departure, the first time Japan will be without pandas in over 50 years, underscores the deteriorating relations between the two nations, exacerbated by recent political remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The pandas, born in 2021, have attracted significant public interest, leading the zoo to implement a lottery system for viewing tickets. As tensions rise, including economic repercussions from China, the future of panda diplomacy remains uncertain, with hopes that these beloved animals will return one day.

Key Details: • Pandas leave Ueno Zoo on Tuesday, marking Japan's first panda-free period in 50 years. • Long lines and a lottery system were implemented for fans to see the pandas before their departure. • Political tensions have escalated between Japan and China, impacting tourism and trade. • Prime Minister Takaichi has called for elections on February 8 to reinforce her policies.

tourism diplomacy china japan pandas

People & Organizations

Sanae TakaichiHitoshi SuzukiUeno ZooShirahama

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