China to Take Back Japan’s Last Two Giant Pandas

China to take back Japan’s last two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, after their final public viewing at Ueno Zoo next year.
Giant panda Lei Lei is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025. Tokyo authorities said Lei Lei and her twin brother, Xiao Xiao, will be returned to China in late January, with the final public viewing set for Jan. 25. (Kotaro Numata / Yomiuri / AFP)

China will soon take back its last two giant pandas on loan to Japan, leaving the country without any giant pandas on public display for the first time since 1972.

The twin pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, will have their final public viewing at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens on January 25 next year, the Tokyo metropolitan government said.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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