Before the twin pandas, Xiaoxiao and Lei Lei, head back to China this week, excited fans in Japan gathered at Ueno Zoo for one last look on Sunday.
Their departure on Tuesday marks a significant moment, as it will leave Japan without a panda for the first time in 50 years. Given the current tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, it seems unlikely that a replacement will come soon.
China sent its first panda to Japan back in 1972, a gesture meant to celebrate the thawing diplomatic relations between the two countries. The adorable black and white bears quickly charmed the Japanese public, with many subsequent pandas becoming beloved local celebrities.
The soon-to-depart twins attracted large crowds despite being limited to just a minute of viewing per person in their designated area.
Many fans, some with panda-themed toys in hand, excitedly called out the bears’ names while snapping photos of them munching bamboo and wandering about.
Even those who didn’t secure tickets showed up for the final viewing. Michiko Seki, a dedicated panda enthusiast in a panda-print shirt, expressed her joy at capturing the moment with the twins who looked healthy and content.
She mentioned using the same camera she bought when she first started capturing moments of her sister, who left Japan two years ago.
One visitor, Guan, shared her hopes that pandas wouldn’t become pawns in political disputes, saying, “They are animals that give us great comfort. I hope the politicians can work something out because Japan needs pandas.”
The Chinese government leases out its pandas, retaining ownership, including the cubs they produce. Xiaoxiao and her little sister Lei Lei were born at Ueno Zoo in 2021.
When asked about the possibility of sending new pandas to Japan, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry acknowledged that many people in Japan adore giant pandas and encouraged Japanese visitors to come to China for a panda experience.
Avid panda fans take millions of photos
Takahiro Takauji, a web engineer, has built his life around pandas for the past 15 years. His fascination began with the twin panda parents at Ueno Zoo after he moved from China. “Their shapes and movements are honestly very cute and intriguing,” he noted in an interview. “Sometimes they seem like babies and at other times, they act like old men.”
His daily visits to the zoo have become indispensable, resulting in over 10 million panda photos and several published photo books. Recently, he joined the throngs of fans to reserve time to see the twins one last time.
During his minute of viewing, he managed to capture around 5,000 photos of Xiaoxiao and Lei Lei in action.
At home, filled with panda decorations, Takau meticulously reviewed his new shots, posting them to his blog, “Every Day Pandas.” He’s watched the twins grow since their birth and considers them “like my own children.” The thought of pandas disappearing from Japan fills him with disbelief.
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing are strained
Japan’s relationship with China is fraught with increasing tensions over politics, trade, and security. Recent remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan have particularly inflamed feelings in China.
This troubled relationship has roots in historical conflicts, including Japan’s invasion during the 19th century, and ongoing territorial disputes in the East China Sea remain relevant today.
Additionally, Japan’s spokesperson Minoru Kihara disclosed that the Japanese consulate in Chongqing has been without a consul for a month due to delays in China’s approval for a replacement.
Pandas have long been part of Chinese diplomacy
The giant panda, native to southwestern China, acts as an unofficial mascot for Chinese diplomacy. The country loans them to other countries to foster goodwill and for research and conservation efforts.
The first pair gifted to Japan arrived in late 1972, shortly after a significant agreement aimed at normalizing relations was signed. At the same time, pandas were sent to other Western nations like the United States and France.
The 1980s ushered in a leasing model in which foreign zoos pay annual fees that help support habitat conservation and scientific research.
Panda diplomacy has entered the political limelight, especially after Japan’s 2011 disaster led to cancelled plans for pandas in Sendai due to earlier territorial disputes.
Pandas loved in Japan
Pandas are omnipresent in Japanese culture. From cookies and stationery to stuffed animals and even a statue at the station, they’re truly a beloved presence in everyday life. Asao Eren, a souvenir shop manager, voiced concerns about how their impending absence might impact business.
Jiang Lian, displaying a cartoon of the twins on a shop sign, remains optimistic about their return, saying they won’t change the sign just yet.
According to economist Katsuhiro Miyamoto, Japanese zoos stand to lose around $128 million annually without pandas. “If this situation persists, the economic fallout could reach tens of billions of yen,” he warned, expressing hope that pandas will soon return for their many fans.
