Japan's iconic panda era ended this week as giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei departed Tokyo's Ueno Zoo for the Chinese mainland on January 27, 2026. The siblings' departure marks the first time since 1972 that no pandas reside in Japanese zoos, concluding a 54-year chapter of cultural exchange through wildlife diplomacy.
Over 4,400 visitors secured lottery tickets for Sunday's final public viewing, with emotional crowds gathering outside enclosures despite winter temperatures. The twins follow their parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri, who returned to China in September 2024, and their elder sister Xiang Xiang, who departed in February 2023.
Since 1972, Ueno Zoo hosted 15 giant pandas, becoming a symbol of Japan-China relations. Analysts estimate the pandas generated over ¥30 billion annually in tourism revenue, with souvenir sales and nearby businesses now bracing for economic impacts.
While no new panda agreements have been announced, conservationists emphasize this repatriation aligns with China's current wildlife breeding strategies. As of January 2026, all surviving pandas loaned to Japan have now returned, though zoological authorities from both countries maintain collaborative dialogue on future exchanges.
