IN PHOTOS: Panda twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao leave Japan, ending 50-year era

Updated On: 27 January, 2026 04:50 PM IST | Tarun Verma

Hundreds of people gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens to say goodbye to panda twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao as they were returned to China amid diplomatic tensions, leaving Japan without any pandas for the first time in 50 years. (PICS/AFP)

1/10

<p>Born at Ueno Zoo in 2021, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao quickly became national favourites, drawing visitors like Nene Hashino, 40 who has followed their lives since the twins birth</p>

2/10

Born at Ueno Zoo in 2021, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao quickly became national favourites, drawing visitors like Nene Hashino, 40 who has followed their lives since the twins birth

<p>The pandas return was announced during a period of diplomatic tension between Japan and China, following remarks by Japan’s prime minister on Taiwan that angered Beijing</p>

3/10

The pandas return was announced during a period of diplomatic tension between Japan and China, following remarks by Japan’s prime minister on Taiwan that angered Beijing

<p>China’s ‘panda diplomacy’ has symbolised friendship with Japan since the two countries normalised relations in 1972, making the animals departure symbolic</p>

4/10

China’s ‘panda diplomacy’ has symbolised friendship with Japan since the two countries normalised relations in 1972, making the animals departure symbolic

<p>A stuffed toy panda is placed at the cashier of a souvenir shop on the last day before the twins return to China, which is a month before their loan agreement was due to expire, according to Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials</p>

5/10

A stuffed toy panda is placed at the cashier of a souvenir shop on the last day before the twins return to China, which is a month before their loan agreement was due to expire, according to Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials

<p>Experts say panda relocations are routine under China’s loan programme, and their departure may not be politically motivated despite strained bilateral ties</p>

6/10

Experts say panda relocations are routine under China’s loan programme, and their departure may not be politically motivated despite strained bilateral ties

7/10

Ueno Zoo offered 4,400 lottery winners a final viewing on Sunday before the twins departure for China for people to bid a heartfelt goodbye

<p>Panda-clad fans wearing panda-themed clothing, hats and accessories line the streets as the twins are transported by truck back to China, marking an emotional moment for many Japanese admirers</p>

8/10

Panda-clad fans wearing panda-themed clothing, hats and accessories line the streets as the twins are transported by truck back to China, marking an emotional moment for many Japanese admirers

9/10

A truck believed to be carrying the twin pandas departs from Ueno Zoo in Tokyo

<p>The departure saddened many admirers of the twin pandas. "I lost one part of my heart", said Daisaku Hirota, a 37-year-old shop worker who visited them whenever he could.</p>
<div class="flex flex-col text-sm">
<article class="text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5535db12-1443-434d-aeec-fe7f66ac625c-32" data-testid="conversation-turn-66" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant">
<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)">
<div class="[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn" tabindex="-1">
<div class="z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start"> </div>
</div>
</div>
</article>
</div>
<div class="pointer-events-none h-px w-px absolute bottom-0" aria-hidden="true" data-edge="true"> </div>

10/10

The departure saddened many admirers of the twin pandas. "I lost one part of my heart", said Daisaku Hirota, a 37-year-old shop worker who visited them whenever he could.

Photo of Day

Breaking barriers and building pyramids — Women power in action!

Sashastra Seema Bal’s (SSB) Daredevils team performs during rehearsals for the Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

Home / News / World News / Photos / IN PHOTOS: Panda twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao leave Japan, ending 50-year era

IN PHOTOS: Panda twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao leave Japan, ending 50-year era

Tags

Photo of Day

Breaking barriers and building pyramids — Women power in action!