Japan’s only two Pandas set to return to China

December 15, 2025 / 11:07 AM

Sharjah24 - AFP: Japan is expected to send its only remaining two giant pandas back to China in January, according to Japanese media reports, potentially leaving the country without the iconic animals for the first time in nearly 50 years.

End of a panda diplomacy chapter

The pandas, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, currently housed at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens, were loaned to Japan under China’s long-running “panda diplomacy” programme. The animals have symbolised friendship between Beijing and Tokyo since the normalisation of diplomatic relations in 1972.

Early repatriation ahead of loan expiry

Media reports, including Asahi Shimbun, said the twin pandas will be returned around a month before their loan period expires in February. Despite efforts by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to extend their stay, China reportedly declined the request.

No immediate replacement expected

While Tokyo is seeking to secure the loan of a new panda pair, reports suggest their arrival before the return of Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao is unlikely. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government declined to comment on the matter.

Strained Japan–China relations

The development comes amid worsening relations between Asia’s two largest economies, following remarks by Japan’s new conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding potential military involvement in the event of an attack on Taiwan — comments that drew sharp criticism from Beijing.

A long history of panda cooperation

Ueno Zoo has long benefited from panda diplomacy and international cooperation in panda conservation. Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao were born in 2021 to their mother, Shin Shin, who was returned to China last year. Breeding giant pandas remains a major challenge due to mating difficulties and high cub mortality rates.