CHINA / SOCIETY
Japan's remaining twin pandas to depart for China on Jan. 27
By Xinhua Published: Jan 26, 2026 08:52 AM
Visitors are on their way to view giant pandas at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Visitors are on their way to view giant pandas at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)


Visitors grief after bidding farewell to giant pandas at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Visitors grief after bidding farewell to giant pandas at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)


Visitors hold banners bearing images of giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Visitors hold banners bearing images of giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)


Giant panda Lei Lei is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Giant panda Lei Lei is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25, 2026. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)