Hundreds gathered in Tokyo to bid farewell to two popular pandas, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao. The furry twins were transported out of Ueno Zoo, leaving Japan without any pandas for the first time in 50 years. Many fans felt saddened by their departure. “I’ve been coming to watch them since they were born,” said Nene Hashino, a woman in her 40s with a panda jacket, clutching a stuffed toy. “It feels like my own children are going somewhere far away. It’s sad.” The pandas were sent back amid diplomatic tensions. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about possibly intervening militarily over Taiwan angered Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory. Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao had been loaned by China as part of its “panda diplomacy,” symbolizing friendly ties since 1972, but their return came before their official loan period expired in February. China’s foreign ministry announced the pandas’ return, inviting Japanese fans to visit pandas in China. Japan reportedly seeks new pandas, but a poll showed 70% of Japanese do not want their government to negotiate a new lease. On Sunday, Ueno Zoo held a special viewing for 4,400 people to see the pandas one last time. Fans wore panda hats and badges and waited hours to say goodbye. Shop worker Daisaku Hirota said, “I lost one part of my heart.” Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao were born in 2021 to mother Shin Shin, who was sent back to China in 2024 due to health issues. Ties between Japan and China are currently strained, with China restricting travel and exports to Japan. However, experts believe the panda return might not be a direct political move, adding that pandas could come back if relations improve. “Pandas are special,” said Masaki Ienaga, an expert in East Asian relations. “They have strong customer-drawing power, and they can earn money.”