Japan's last two giant pandas return to China

陈小将

Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei arrive at the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Southwest China's Sichuan province on Jan 28, 2026. [Photo by Li Chuanyou/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The final two giant pandas in Japan returned to China from a zoo in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, marking the end of over five decades of panda presence in Japan.

The pair, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, arrived at Chengdu in Southwest China's Sichuan province at 1 am, before they were sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will be quarantined.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and her mate, Ri Ri, which were returned to China in September 2024.