Tokyo, Japan-A crowd of 108,000 gathered at Ueno Zoo on Sunday to bid farewell to the last two pandas kept in Japan, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, as they are scheduled to return to China on Tuesday. The emotional ceremony underscored the symbolic end of panda diplomacy, a practice that has marked Japan‑China relations since 1972. The return comes amid rising political friction, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted Tokyo might intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has warned it may use force. The panda loan program has historically been a tool of China’s soft power, often tied to trade negotiations. The departure signals a potential closing chapter in a relationship that has seen growing economic sanctions over rare‑earth exports. The event was marked by tears, memories, and the hope that the day would remain a bright memory for visitors. The panda loan costs about $1 million per pair annually, and the animals remain the property of China.

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