Japanese Zoo Overwhelmed as Fans Rush to See Pandas Returning to China
"Zoo Website Paralyzed by Surge in Reservations"
"Only 4,800 Visitors Allowed Per Day... About One Minute Per Person"
With the confirmation that two giant pandas living in Japan will return to China in late January next year, the zoo has been packed daily with fans eager to bid them farewell. The zoo's website was temporarily paralyzed by fans attempting to make reservations, and the zoo authorities have implemented visitor restrictions to prevent overcrowding.
Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported, “The area in front of Ueno Zoo has been bustling with people hoping to see the twin pandas even before opening hours.”
Visitors are lining up to see the giant pandas Xiaoxiao and Leilei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Photo by AP Yonhap News.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government recently announced that visitors will be able to see the giant pandas Xiaoxiao and Leilei from December 23 to January 25 next year. To see the twin pandas, advance online reservations are required. From the 23rd to January 12, entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis after reservation, but after that period, a lottery system will be used.
The zoo authorities have implemented visitor restrictions to prevent overcrowding. Each person is allowed approximately one minute to view the pandas, and only 4,800 visitors per day can see the twins on a first-come, first-served basis. No more than 400 people are allowed to enter every 30 minutes. On the first day of reservations, December 23, tickets sold out within minutes, and the zoo’s website was temporarily paralyzed.
Photos of giant pandas Shaoxiao and Leilei are displayed at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Photo by AP Yonhap News.
A fan in their 50s, who said they waited several hours to see the twin pandas, commented, “Xiaoxiao looks adorable relaxing so leisurely,” and added, “It’s truly sad and lonely that we won’t be able to see pandas in Japan anymore.” The fan also said, “It may be difficult now due to tensions between Japan and China, but I hope they will return someday in the distant future.”
Suzuki Hitoshi, a zookeeper, said, “The birth of twin pandas Xiaoxiao and Leilei brought great joy to the zoo,” and added, “We will do our utmost to ensure the pandas stay healthy during their remaining month here and arrive safely in China.”
According to media reports, Japanese people have expressed concerns about the long lines, as well as feelings of regret and sadness over no longer being able to see the pandas.
Numerous Chinese media outlets also reported the news, citing Japanese sources. Chinese reports carried headlines such as, “Zoo website paralyzed by Japanese reservations to see giant pandas,” and “Japanese fans are flocking to the zoo to bid farewell to the twin pandas.”
They also noted that “This is not the first time Japan has introduced a reservation and lottery system for viewing giant pandas,” explaining that in 2023, Xiangxiang, and in 2020, Dandan, were only available for viewing by a limited number of visitors before returning to China.
Xiaoxiao and Leilei are twin pandas born at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo in June 2021. Their parents, Lili and Xinxin, already returned to China in September last year. The original return date for the twin pandas was February 20, but the schedule was moved up recently as political tensions between Japan and China intensified. The prevailing analysis is that the deterioration in China-Japan relations, especially after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi mentioned the possibility of intervening in the event of a Taiwan contingency on November 7, played a major role.
Pandas first arrived in Japan in 1972, following the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. China has continued its so-called “panda diplomacy,” gifting or leasing giant pandas, which are native only to China, as symbols of diplomatic goodwill. However, the agreement stipulates that even pandas born overseas must be returned to China after reaching maturity, around age four. Fubao, born in Korea, also returned to China last year under this contract. Once these twin pandas leave Japan, the country will be without pandas for the first time since 1972.
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