Tokyo: The last two giant pandas in Japan, "Xiao Xiao" and "Lei Lei," are set to make their journey back to China on January 27th. These twin pandas, currently residing at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, mark the end of an era for Japan, as the country will have no giant pandas for the first time in nearly 50 years.

According to Thai News Agency, the giant panda twins will be transported from the zoo to Narita Airport, located near Tokyo, where they will board a plane bound for China. Their arrival in China is scheduled for January 28th. The twins, born in 2021, are the offspring of "Shinshin" and "Rirui," a panda pair who were themselves repatriated to China in September 2024. Their older sister, "Xiangxiang," also returned to China earlier this year in February.

A previous agreement between China and Japan had stipulated that the pandas should be returned by February 2026. However, discussions between the Japanese government and Chinese authorities led to an agreement to advance the return date by approximately one month. This follows the return of four giant pandas from a zoo in Wakayama Prefecture to China in June 2025.

Japan's relationship with giant pandas began in 1972 when the first pair was brought to the country to celebrate the restoration of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. The departure of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei signifies the end of an iconic chapter in Japan's cultural and diplomatic history with China.