Ueno Zoo

Ueno Zoo, located in Tokyo, Japan, recently held farewell events for its last two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who are being returned to China. This event is newsworthy because it marks the first time in approximately 50 years that Japan will be without any pandas. The pandas' departure, initially scheduled for later, was moved to January 27th, a month ahead of schedule. This return occurs amidst worsening relations between Japan and China, adding a layer of geopolitical significance to the event. Giant pandas have long been a symbol of Sino-Japanese friendship, dating back to 1972 when China gifted a pair to Japan following the normalization of bilateral ties. The absence of pandas at Ueno Zoo represents a symbolic shift in the relationship between the two countries.