Japan's Last Pandas Depart for China Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Hundreds of Japanese citizens gathered outside Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens this week to bid an emotional farewell to twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei as they departed for China. This marks the first time in half a century that Japan will be without any of the beloved black-and-white bears, coinciding with deteriorating diplomatic relations between the Asian neighbours.
Emotional Farewell for Furry Favourites
Well-wishers wearing panda-themed clothing, hats and badges waited for hours along the streets surrounding the zoo to catch a final glimpse of the four-year-old twins as they were transported by windowless truck from their birthplace. Many fans expressed profound sadness at the departure of animals they had watched grow since their birth in 2021.
"It feels like my own children are going somewhere far away," said Nene Hashino, a woman in her 40s wearing a panda jacket and clutching a bear stuffed toy. "I've been coming to watch them since they were born. It's sad."
Daisaku Hirota, a 37-year-old shop worker who visited the pandas regularly on his days off, expressed similar sentiments: "I lost one part of my heart."
Diplomatic Context of the Departure
The pandas' abrupt return was announced last month during a diplomatic spat that began when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo could intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, reacted strongly to these comments.
The animals had been loaned to Japan as part of China's "panda diplomacy" programme, which has symbolised friendship between Beijing and Tokyo since the normalisation of diplomatic relations in 1972. Their repatriation comes approximately one month before their official loan period was due to expire in February.
"According to the relevant agreement between China and Japan, the giant pandas who were living in Japan, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, today began their return trip to China," stated Guo Jiakun, China's foreign ministry spokesperson, who added that Japan was welcome to visit pandas in China.
Public Viewing and Future Prospects
On Sunday, Ueno Zoo invited 4,400 lucky winners of an online lottery to see the pandas for the final time before their departure. The twins were delivered in 2021 by their mother, Shin Shin, who arrived in 2011 and was returned to China last year due to declining health.
While Japan has reportedly been seeking the loan of a new pair of pandas, a recent poll by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper revealed that 70% of respondents believe the government should not negotiate with China on leasing new pandas, with only 26% supporting such negotiations.
Broader Diplomatic Implications
The panda departure occurs alongside other diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Since late last year, China has discouraged its citizens from travelling to Japan, citing deteriorating public security and criminal acts against Chinese nationals. Beijing is also reportedly restricting exports to Japan of rare-earth products essential for manufacturing electric vehicles and missiles.
However, experts caution against reading too much political motivation into the panda repatriation. "If you talk about Chinese politics, the timing of sending pandas is what counts," explained Masaki Ienaga, a professor at Tokyo Woman's Christian University and expert in East Asian international relations. "Pandas could return to Japan if bilateral ties warm."
Ienaga noted that while other countries use animals like Thailand's elephants or Australia's koalas for diplomacy, "pandas are special. They have strong customer-drawing power, and they can earn money."
The departure of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei marks the end of an era for Japanese panda enthusiasts and represents another chapter in the complex diplomatic relationship between Asia's two largest economies.
