TOKYO (AP) — Thousands of people gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo to catch a last glimpse of the popular twin pandas returning to China next month, worried about when they would see their replacements in Japan as Tokyo’s relationship with Beijing soured.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on Monday that Xiao Xiao and her sister Lei Lei will return to China at the end of January and that their last day of public viewing will be January 25.
Their departure will leave Japan without a panda for the first time in more than half a century. The prospect of their replacement is not favorable as relations between the two countries have soured in recent weeks.
Giant pandas are native to southwestern China and serve as the unofficial national mascot. Beijing lends them to other countries as a goodwill gesture but retains ownership of them and any children they produce.
Panda fan Yuki Imai, who was visiting from neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture, was shocked by the news of the twins’ return and decided to pay a visit. “I thought I’d better come and see them while I still could.”
Many queued for more than two hours to catch a glimpse of the twins. Kazuhiro Yamamoto said he was visiting the pandas “one last time” with his wife, Hiroko, and that the twins may return soon because of their rocky relationship.
The four-year-old twins were born in June 2021 at Tokyo’s Uno Zoological Garden and raised there, but remain on loan from China and must be returned by February.
Relations between Japan and China have soured since Japanese Prime Minister Sane Takaichi said in early November that his military might be involved if China launched a naval blockade or other action against the self-governing island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.
China has banned tourism in Japan, and canceled cultural events and exchanges between local governments.
The row escalated this month when Chinese exercises involving an aircraft carrier near southern Japan prompted Tokyo to scramble fighter jets. Japan also protested that its aircraft were repeatedly targeted by radar-locking – a move seen as possible preparation for missile firing.
Tadashi Nakatani, a 51-year-old calligrapher at the temple who regularly visits from his hometown of Kamakura, west of Tokyo, said international ties could affect panda diplomacy, but he remains hopeful.
“When things calm down and the relationship stabilizes, I sincerely hope that the pandas will come back, and that a day will come when everyone will be able to see them again.”
China sent the first pair of pandas to Japan in 1972 to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries. Since then, Japan has not been left without pandas.
There was a long queue of thousands of visitors outside the zoo since early Tuesday morning. During their one-minute observation in the panda area, visitors called out the twins’ names and took photos or videos as the pair licked or twirled around bamboo sticks.
Starting next week, 4,800 visitors who have successfully booked their 1-minute slot online will be able to see the adorable twins, according to the zoo.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Monday that the Japanese people have loved the panda for a long time and expressed his belief that the friendship between the two countries will continue through panda diplomacy.
“Exchanges through pandas have contributed to improving public sentiment between Japan and China, and we hope the relationship will continue,” Kihara said. He said many local municipalities and zoos expressed hope that new pandas would be on loan soon.
Ueno Zoological Gardens curator Hitoshi Suzuki, referring to the panda twins, said it was a challenge to raise them in good health. “But they gave us many kinds of joy and wonder. They also brought great joy to our visitors. We have nothing but words of gratitude.”
The zoo plans to promote other animals to make up for the pandas’ absence, waiting for their replacements. “We will keep the panda area for the time being, so we can accommodate potential new arrivals at any time.”
