After half a century, Japan faces a future without pandas
Japan is set to lose its last remaining giant pandas early next year, marking the end of a half-century presence that has come to symbolise both public affection and the country’s relations with China.
The twin pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, will be returned to China in late January when their loan period expires, leaving the country without any giant pandas for the first time since 1972.
The move was confirmed this month by the Tokyo metropolitan government and the Tokyo Zoological Park Society.
Pandas first arrived in Japan following the normalisation of diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Beijing, quickly becoming cultural ambassadors and a powerful draw for visitors.
With bilateral relations strained, however, there is no indication that China will approve a new loan to replace the departing pair.
At Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, the impending farewell has already prompted a surge in interest. The zoo has imposed daily limits on panda visitors and sharply reduced viewing times in an effort to manage crowds and ensure the animals’ welfare during their final weeks on display.
The twins can be seen until January 25, though access is tightly controlled. Reservations are being handled online, with some dates allocated on a first-come basis and others decided by lottery, reflecting demand that far exceeds available slots.
Zoo officials say the focus is now on ensuring a smooth and healthy transfer. Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, born at Ueno in June 2021, will undergo a quarantine period ahead of their return, after which they are expected to join China’s national panda conservation programme.
Their parents, Ri Ri and Shin Shin, were also loaned from China and have since been returned, leaving the twins as Japan’s only pandas.
Despite appeals by Tokyo and national government officials to extend the arrangement or secure a replacement, Beijing has yet to respond.
Conservation experts warn that a prolonged absence of pandas could have broader implications. Advocates argue that the animals play a unique role in fostering public interest in wildlife protection and environmental conservation.
The departure is also expected to be felt beyond the zoo gates. Local tourism groups say pandas have long been a cornerstone of Ueno’s visitor economy, attracting domestic and overseas tourists in large numbers.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
