For the first time since 1972, Japan will be left without pandas. This was reported by the Nikkei publication.
Currently, there are only two pandas rented from China in the country. A pair of panda twins - male Xiao-Xiao and his sister Lei-Lei - will be returned to their homeland in January 2026. Currently, they are kept in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo.
Representatives of the zoo noted that the contract for the lease of pandas was concluded in 2011 for ten years. In 2021, the agreement was extended for another five years, until February 20, 2026. However, due to diplomatic tensions between Japan and China, Japanese officials were forced to surrender Xiao-Xiao and Lei-lei one month ahead of schedule.
The zoo developed a special strategy so that as many visitors as possible could see the pandas during the remaining time. For two pandas, the observation area is divided, and the observation time is limited to one minute. From December 23, it will be possible to visit the park only by pre-registration. Visitors will see the pandas at Ueno Zoo for the last time on January 25, 2026.
Xiao-Xiao and Lei-lei were born in 2021 at Ueno Zoo. Their parents - Li-Li and Sin-Sin pandas - were supposed to be in Japan until 2026, but due to health and old age, they returned to China in October 2024. More than 2,000 Japanese came to say goodbye to Li-Li and Qin-Qin.
China is the owner of all the pandas in the world. Other states can only lease them. Japan first adopted a pair of pandas from China in 1972.
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