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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Mari Yamaguchi and Ayaka McGill

The last two pandas in Japan are leaving for China as ties are strained

Japan China Panda - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Japanese panda fans are gathering Sunday for the final public viewing at Tokyo's Ueno zoo before twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei return to China.

Their departure Tuesday will leave Japan with no pandas for the first time in half a century, and the chances of getting a replacement are poor, with Tokyo's relations with Beijing at their lowest point in years.

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