Fans in Japan jostle for final glimpse of China-bound twin pandas

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by KyodoJanuary 25, 2026 at 08:41 AM

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Fans in Japan gathered at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Sunday to say goodbye to twin giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, before their departure to China on Tuesday. The pandas' return marks the first time since 1972 that Japan will have no pandas, ending a long-standing symbol of Sino-Japanese friendship that began with a gift from China after the normalization of relations. The reason for the pandas' return is that they are no longer on loan. Prospects for future panda loans are uncertain due to strained relations between the two countries, stemming from comments made by a Japanese Prime Minister regarding a potential conflict between China and Taiwan. The event required prior reservations, with high demand for the limited slots available.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Ueno Zoo 40% Sanae Takaichi 60% Beijing 60% Ueno Zoological Gardens 60% Tokyo ×270% Taiwan ×370% Xiao Xiao ×280% Lei Lei ×280% Japan ×490% China ×590%

Keywords

giant pandas 100% japan 90% china 90% panda diplomacy 80% sino-japanese friendship 70% ueno zoological gardens 60% taiwan 50% bilateral ties 50% xiao xiao 40% lei lei 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral

Score: -0.10

Source Transparency

Source

South China Morning Post

Political Lean

Center-Right (0.50)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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giant pandas japan china panda diplomacy sino-japanese friendship ueno zoological gardens taiwan bilateral ties xiao xiao lei lei

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