Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Tokyo Zoo Visitors Bid Farewell to Last Pandas
A lot of people went to a zoo in Tokyo to see two pandas named Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei for the last time before they go back to China.
These pandas were born in Tokyo but are owned by China.
The zoo said the pandas will leave in late January, and it might be a while before Japan gets new pandas because China and Japan are not getting along very well right now.
People waited for a long time to see the pandas one last time.
The pandas are four years old and were born in 2021.
China lends pandas to other countries as a sign of friendship, but they keep ownership.
The bad relationship between Japan and China started when Japan's leader said their military might get involved if China does something against Taiwan, which China claims as its own.
Since then, China has made it harder for people to visit Japan and canceled some events.
Thousands of visitors flocked to Tokyo's Ueno Zoo to see the twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei before their return to China in late January.
The pandas, born in Tokyo in 2021, are on loan from China and must be returned by February.
Their departure leaves Japan without pandas for the first time in over 50 years, with strained relations affecting the prospects of new pandas.
Visitors waited for over two hours to see the pandas for one minute, expressing shock and sadness at their impending departure.
Tensions between Japan and China have escalated due to statements about Taiwan and military drills, impacting cultural exchanges and tourism.
- Who
- Thousands of visitors, Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, Japan and China
- What
- Farewell visits to the last two pandas in Japan before their return to China
- When
- Late January 2024
- Where
- Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, Japan
- Why
- The pandas are on loan from China and must be returned by February 2024, with strained relations between Japan and China affecting their replacement
- Pandas' Names
- Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei
- Last Public Viewing
- January 25
- Return to China
- Late January
- Pandas' Age
- 4 years old
- Birthplace
- Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens
- Birth Date
- June 2021
- Reason for Departure
- Loan agreement with China