Twin pandas Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao leave Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo for China, ending a 50-year panda diplomacy tradition amid a diplomatic spat over Taiwan.
TOKYO: Japan will be without pandas for the first time in over 50 years as two beloved bears depart a Tokyo zoo for China on Tuesday.
Twin pandas Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao will be transported by truck from their birthplace at Ueno Zoological Gardens.
Their departure disappoints many Japanese fans who have grown attached to the four-year-old animals.
“I feel like seeing pandas can help create a connection with China too, so in that sense I really would like pandas to come back to Japan again,” said Tokyo resident Gen Takahashi, 39.
The pandas’ abrupt return was announced last month during a diplomatic spat.
It began when Japan’s conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted Tokyo could intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked.
Beijing, which regards Taiwan as its own territory, was provoked by the comment.
The black-and-white animals have symbolised friendship since diplomatic ties normalised in 1972.
They are part of China’s longstanding “panda diplomacy” programme.
Ueno Zoo invited 4,400 lottery winners for a final viewing on Sunday.
Passionate fans without tickets still visited, wearing panda-themed shirts and carrying dolls.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which operates the zoo, said the repatriation comes a month before their loan expires in February.
Tokyo has reportedly been seeking a new pair of pandas on loan.
China has recently discouraged its nationals from travelling to Japan.
It is also reportedly choking off exports of rare-earth products crucial for manufacturing.
However, the panda removal may not be politically motivated, according to an expert.
Masaki Ienaga, a professor at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University, said China routinely recalls pandas from foreign countries.
He said pandas could return to Japan if bilateral ties improve.
“In the future… if there are intentions of improving bilateral ties on both sides, it’s possible that (the return of) pandas will be on the table,” Ienaga told AFP.
