Japan’s final two pandas leave Tokyo for China, ending a 50-year presence amid strained bilateral relations and public debate over future loans.
TOKYO: Two popular pandas departed Tokyo for China, leaving Japan without the beloved bears for the first time in half a century. The move comes amid noticeably fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.
Panda twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao were transported by truck from their birthplace at Ueno Zoological Gardens. Their abrupt return was announced last month during a diplomatic spat that began when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted Tokyo could intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked.
Beijing, which regards Taiwan as its own territory, was provoked by the comment. The distinctive black-and-white animals have symbolised friendship since diplomatic ties were normalised in 1972, loaned as part of China’s “panda diplomacy”.
“Although I can’t see them, I came to share the same air with them and to say, ‘Hope you’ll be OK,'” one woman visiting the zoo told public broadcaster NHK.
Their repatriation comes a month before their loan period officially expires in February. Japan has reportedly been seeking the loan of a new pair, but public opinion appears divided.
A weekend poll by the Asahi Shimbun showed 70% of those surveyed do not think the government should negotiate with China for new pandas. Only 26% were in favour of the negotiations.
On Sunday, Ueno Zoo invited some 4,400 lucky winners of an online lottery for a final viewing. Passionate fans without tickets still turned out at the park, sporting panda-themed shirts, bags and dolls.
China has recently discouraged its nationals from travelling to Japan, citing deteriorating public security. Beijing is also reportedly choking off exports to Japan of rare-earth products crucial for manufacturing.
However, China routinely removes pandas from foreign countries. Professor Masaki Ienaga, an expert in East Asian international relations, suggested the latest move may not be purely political.
“If you talk about (Chinese) politics, the timing of sending pandas is what counts,” he said. Pandas could return to Japan if bilateral ties warm, he added.
He noted other countries use animals as diplomatic tools, like Thailand with elephants and Australia with koalas. “But pandas are special,” Ienaga said. “They have strong customer-drawing power, and… they can earn money.”
