00:00Thousands of fans flocked to Tokyo's Ueno Zoo for a final glimpse of Japan's last two
00:07giant pandas.
00:08The four-year-old twins, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, are set to return to China at the end
00:13of January, ahead of a February 20 deadline.
00:17The announcement on Monday that the pandas would leave Japan stirred nationwide disappointment,
00:22with visitors queuing from early Tuesday morning, many wearing panda-themed hats and carrying
00:27bags to bid farewell to the beloved animals.
00:30I want to go to Japan, I know that the pandas were born in Japan, but I want to go to Japan.
00:44Born at Ueno Zoo in June 2021, the twins became a major attraction after their parents returned
00:50to China last year.
00:52Once they leave, Japan will be panda-less for the first time since 1972.
00:56As part of China's panda diplomacy, giant pandas are often loaned to other nations, with
01:03cubs returning home after the loan agreement ends.
01:08Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei's departure is therefore both planned and symbolic, coming amid tensions between
01:13Japan and China over recent political remarks.
01:15So, I think it's been a long time for a long time.
01:16I think it's been a long time for a long time.
01:17I think it's been a long time for a long time.
01:18I think it's been a long time for a long time.
01:19I think it's been a long time for a long time.
01:20As part of China's panda diplomacy, giant pandas are often loaned to other nations, with
01:25cubs returning home after the loan agreement ends.
01:29Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei's departure is therefore both planned and symbolic, coming amid tensions
01:35between Japan and China over recent political remarks.
01:38To manage the crowds, Ueno Zoo has limited viewing at the Panda Pavilion to one minute per
01:44visitor, and will require online reservations starting next week, with a lottery system in
01:49place for the final 12 days before the twins' departure on January 25th.
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