Kyodo announced Japan's return of pandas to China amid strained relations

Japan will be without giant pandas for the first time since 1972 due to the deterioration of relations with China and the planned return of the couple Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei to Beijing at the end of January. This was reported on December 15 by the Kyodo news agency.

"The popular panda twins, who have lived at Ueno Zoo since their introduction in 2021, will return to China under a bilateral lease agreement between Tokyo and Beijing. The prospects for getting another pair are still uncertain amid diplomatic tensions following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's statements on Taiwan," the publication says.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in Japan to Shin Shin's mother and her partner Ri Ri, but remain the property of China and were transferred for breeding research. Their return will leave the country without pandas for the first time in almost half a century, as in June all the pandas from the Adventure World Park have already returned to China.

The history of the panda presence in Japan began in 1972, when the first couple arrived from China after the normalization of diplomatic relations. For decades, these animals have become a symbol of friendship between the countries and attracted tourists, bringing economic benefits to the country's zoos.

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