Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens witnessed an outpouring of emotion on Tuesday as thousands gathered to bid farewell to Japan’s last remaining giant pandas, twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who embarked on their journey to China. This departure signifies the first time in approximately half a century that Japan will be without these beloved bears, closing a significant chapter in Sino-Japanese cultural exchange.
The atmosphere was charged with sentiment as devoted fans, many carrying panda-themed accessories and plush toys, formed extensive queues outside the zoo hours before the scheduled departure. Despite each visitor being allocated merely one minute for final viewing during Sunday’s last public appearance, the crowd remained enthusiastic, with many expressing hopes to eventually visit China to see the pandas again.
According to Chinese media reports, the twins departed Ueno Zoo for Narita International Airport in the afternoon, scheduled to board a flight to Sichuan province where they will reunite with their mother Xian Nyu and elder sister Xiang Xiang at a specialized facility.
The announcement of their December departure triggered a significant surge in zoo attendance, necessitating the implementation of an online reservation system to manage unprecedented visitor numbers. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed the pandas’ transfer under bilateral agreements, while extending warm invitations for Japanese friends to visit pandas in China.
This panda conservation program, initiated in 1972 with the arrival of the first bears, has been widely regarded as exceptionally successful, fostering cooperation in breeding, veterinary care, and public education. Over three decades, more than 30 giant pandas were either loaned to Japan or born there under this initiative.
Doi Toshimitsu, president of a panda protection institute and former Ueno zoo director, emphasized how the original pandas’ arrival symbolized the normalization of Japan-China relations, noting that these charismatic animals remain enduring symbols of friendship and cultural exchange between the nations.
The economic impact of panda diplomacy extends beyond conservation. Panda-themed merchandise, souvenirs, and snacks have generated substantial revenue for local businesses throughout the years. Following the departure announcement, nearby shopping districts launched special panda-themed promotions featuring bear-modeled desserts and merchandise.
Miyamoto Katsuhiro, professor emeritus of economics at Kansai University, projected that the absence of pandas at Ueno Zoo would result in estimated annual economic losses of at least 15.4 billion yen ($100 million), significantly affecting adjacent hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
The zoo has housed 15 pandas since 1972, with the birth of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei on June 23, 2021, triggering neighborhood-wide celebrations that became cherished community memories. Their departure follows the return of elder sister Xiang Xiang in February 2023 and parents Bi Li and Xian Nyu in September 2024, along with four pandas from Adventure World in Wakayama prefecture last June.