Khaberni - The Japanese government announced today (Monday) that the famous giant panda twins Xiao Xiao (male) and Li Li (female) at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo will be returned to China in late January 2026. This means that Japan will lose its last panda for the first time in more than half a century amidst a wave of sadness and disappointment among the Japanese public.
Japan bids farewell to its last panda for the first time since 1972
According to the Japanese news agency "Kyodo" and official sources, January 25, 2026, will be the last day for the public display of the twins at Ueno Zoo, where they were born in June 2021 and became beloved stars attracting thousands of visitors daily.
This decision comes under the bilateral loan agreement between Tokyo and Beijing, which stipulates that all pandas – including those born in Japan – must return to China, where they are considered exclusively Chinese property.
Japan bids farewell to its last panda for the first time since 1972
The end of panda diplomacy with Japan
Chinese "panda diplomacy" dates back decades, starting when Japan began hosting pandas in 1972 with the arrival of the pair Kang Kang and Lan Lan at Ueno, celebrating the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Since then, Japan has hosted more than 30 pandas, either borrowed or locally born, in parks like Ueno and Adventure World in Wakayama. However, in recent years, most of them have returned to China, including the twins' parents (Ri Ri and Shin Shin) in 2024, and four other pandas from Wakayama in June 2025.
This early return has caused public concern, especially with no clear indications of a new panda loan arriving soon. The Tokyo government is seeking a new pair, but negotiations are complicated and may be affected by the current political tensions between the countries.
A final farewell to the pandas in Japan
Ueno Zoo is expected to see a huge influx of visitors in the coming weeks for the final farewell, in an emotional scene reminiscent of previous farewells that saw tears and long lines.
Japan's chances of securing replacement panda animals diminished after Prime Minister Takaitchi stated in parliament on November 7 that the emergency regarding Taiwan could pose a "threat to Japan's survival," which might lead to action by Japanese defense forces to support the United States.
This has angered China, as Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists that the Taiwan issue is a "purely internal affair."
