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Japan Bids Emotional Farewell to Beloved Giant Pandas Free article 2025
Japan Bids Emotional Farewell to Beloved Giant Pandas
Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan – On a cool June morning in 2025, the coastal town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture buzzed with bittersweet emotion as thousands of fans gathered at Adventure World theme park to say goodbye to four giant pandas.
Rauhin, a 24-year-old matriarch, and her three daughters—Yuihin, Saihin, and Fuhin—made their final journey from Japan to China, marking the end of a 30-year chapter of panda conservation and cultural exchange between the two nations.
The departure of these beloved animals has left only two pandas in Japan, signaling a significant shift in the country’s long-standing “panda diplomacy” with China.
The scene at Adventure World on June 27, 2025, was one of heartfelt farewells.
Over 1,400 visitors lined up before the park’s gates opened, some arriving as early as dawn to catch a final glimpse of the pandas.
By the time the farewell ceremony began, nearly 3,000 people had gathered, their faces a mix of joy and sorrow.
Many clutched panda-themed merchandise—plush toys, keychains, and T-shirts—as they waved flags and snapped photos of the four pandas: Rauhin, the gentle mother born in 2000; Yuihin, aged 8; Saihin, 6; and Fuhin, the youngest at 4.
For many, these pandas were more than zoo attractions; they were symbols of joy, conservation, and the enduring ties between Japan and China.
A Legacy of Panda Diplomacy
Rauhin, born at Adventure World, was a product of this collaboration.
Alongside her mate, Eimei, who arrived from China in 1994 and returned in 2023 before passing away, Rauhin gave birth to eight cubs, including Yuihin, Saihin, and Fuhin.
The family’s presence at the park brought immense joy to visitors and staff alike, with their playful antics and distinctive personalities earning them a devoted following.
“They gave me so much happiness and comfort,” said Ayako Takenaka, a 53-year-old visitor from Honjo, Saitama Prefecture, who traveled hours to attend the farewell. “I find them cute, but I feel so sad.”
The story of pandas in Japan is deeply intertwined with diplomatic relations between Japan and China.
Since 1972, when the first pandas arrived at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo to celebrate the normalization of diplomatic ties, these black-and-white bears have been cherished as “friendly ambassadors” of goodwill.
Over the decades, pandas have drawn millions of visitors to Japanese zoos, boosting local economies and fostering a shared commitment to conservation.
Adventure World, in particular, became a cornerstone of this legacy when it began a joint breeding program with China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in 1994.
The decision to return the pandas to China stems from the expiration of the joint conservation agreement between Adventure World and the Chengdu Research Base, set to conclude in August 2025. To minimize stress on the animals during transport, both parties agreed to complete the transfer in June, when temperatures are cooler. On June 28, the pandas were carefully loaded onto a charter flight at Kansai International Airport, bound for Sichuan Province, where they will reside at the Chengdu Research Base. The move was meticulously planned, with veterinarians and keepers ensuring the pandas’ comfort during the journey.
A Tearful Farewell
The farewell ceremony at Adventure World was a poignant affair. Park staff, including director Koji Imazu, stood alongside visitors and local officials to bid the pandas farewell. Imazu, who has overseen the park’s panda program for years, expressed mixed emotions. “Of course, we all miss them, but I hope you could send them off with a cheerful wave and wish them well in China,” he said, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. He thanked Chinese specialists for their expertise and noted that over 70 Chinese experts and 50 Japanese keepers had participated in exchanges since the program began, strengthening bilateral ties.
Visitors echoed Imazu’s sentiments. Junko Ikeda, a devoted fan of Fuhin from neighboring Nara Prefecture, spent the night in her camper van to secure a spot at the send-off. “I still can’t believe they’re all leaving,” she said, clutching a photo of Fuhin. “Rauhin gave birth to so many cubs, bringing so much joy to people. I wish them health and happiness in China.” Another visitor, 20-year-old Yuma Okazono from Kobe, added, “I hope they remain in good shape in China. They’ve been a part of my life for so long.”
The pandas’ final public appearance on June 27 was marked by a special exhibition, where visitors could leave messages for the animals. A memory display showcased handwritten notes from keepers and fans, many expressing gratitude for the joy the pandas brought. One message read, “Thank you, Rauhin, for raising such a beautiful family. You’ll always have a home in our hearts.” As the pandas were loaded onto trucks for their journey to the airport, some 300 people, including zoo staff, waved flags and cheered, a final gesture of love for the departing animals.
The Broader Context of Panda Diplomacy
The departure of Rauhin and her daughters leaves only two pandas in Japan: Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, twin siblings housed at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens. These pandas, too, are scheduled to return to China by February 20, 2026, raising the possibility that Japan could soon be without pandas for the first time in over half a century. This prospect has sparked discussions about the future of China’s “panda diplomacy” and its implications for Japan-China relations.
Panda diplomacy has long been a tool for China to foster goodwill with other nations. Since the 1970s, China has loaned pandas to zoos worldwide, often as gestures of friendship or to mark significant diplomatic milestones. In Japan, pandas have been particularly popular, drawing crowds and generating significant revenue for zoos and local businesses. However, the loans come with conditions: all pandas, including those born abroad, remain Chinese property and must eventually return. Additionally, zoos pay substantial fees—often hundreds of thousands of dollars annually—for the privilege of hosting pandas, a cost that has sparked debate among some Japanese citizens.
Posts on social media platforms reflect mixed sentiments. Some users expressed frustration, arguing that the high rental fees and eventual return of pandas make the program a burden. “It’s a waste of money,” one user wrote. “The pandas are used as political tools, and it’s stressful for the animals to be shipped back and forth.” Others, however, see the pandas as symbols of hope and connection. “They’re not just animals; they’re bridges between our countries,” another user commented. “I hope China sends more pandas to Japan soon.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun addressed the pandas’ return during a press briefing on June 27, emphasizing the positive outcomes of the Japan-China collaboration. “Since 2000, our two countries have established sound cooperative relations, achieving results in panda breeding, research, and public education,” he said. Guo expressed China’s willingness to continue such partnerships, hinting at the possibility of future panda loans to Japan. “Giant pandas are emissaries conveying the Chinese people’s friendship,” he added, underscoring their diplomatic significance.
The Future of Pandas in Japan
The departure of the Wakayama pandas has reignited discussions about Japan’s role in global panda conservation and the potential for new pandas to arrive. China’s panda diplomacy has evolved in recent years, with Beijing becoming more selective about loaning pandas amid geopolitical tensions. A recent article highlighted that some Chinese officials advocate for keeping pandas in their native habitat rather than sending them abroad, citing concerns about animal welfare and the costs of international loans. However, China’s agreement in May 2025 to resume importing Japanese marine products—a gesture of goodwill following a ban prompted by Japan’s release of treated radioactive wastewater from Fukushima—suggests that Beijing may be open to strengthening ties with Tokyo, potentially through new panda loans.
Adventure World’s director, Koji Imazu, remains optimistic about the park’s future with pandas. “Although the giant pandas have left, we hope to retain the panda element as an important part of attracting visitors,” he said in an interview. The park has already begun exploring ways to maintain its panda legacy, such as through exhibitions and educational programs. Imazu also expressed readiness to welcome new pandas, should China decide to send them. “We’ve built a strong foundation with our Chinese partners,” he noted. “We’re prepared for a new arrival at any time.”
In Beijing, Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the enduring bond created by pandas. “People’s love for the giant pandas will not change due to distance, nor will it diminish over time,” he said during the farewell ceremony. “We hope this special bond nurtures mutual understanding and affection between our peoples for generations.”
Conservation and Cultural Impact
The return of Rauhin, Yuihin, Saihin, and Fuhin to China is not just a diplomatic event but also a milestone in panda conservation. The Chengdu Research Base, where the pandas now reside, is a world-leading facility dedicated to breeding and protecting giant pandas, a species once on the brink of extinction. Thanks to decades of conservation efforts, the panda’s status was downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable” in 2016, with the global population now estimated at around 1,800. Japan’s contributions, including the successful breeding program at Adventure World, have played a significant role in this recovery.
At the Chengdu Research Base, the three younger pandas—Yuihin, Saihin, and Fuhin—will enter breeding programs to ensure the species’ genetic diversity. Rauhin, at 24, is considered elderly for a panda and will likely live out her days in comfort, cared for by experts. The base’s advanced facilities and proximity to the pandas’ natural habitat in Sichuan Province make it an ideal home for their next chapter.
In Japan, the pandas’ departure has left a void, particularly at Adventure World, where they were a major draw for visitors. The park plans to honor their legacy with a permanent exhibit featuring photos, videos, and stories from their time in Shirahama. For many fans, the pandas were a source of emotional connection, offering moments of respite in a fast-paced world. “They brought so much joy,” said Chisato Noda, a visitor from Nagoya. “It’s sad to see them go, but I’m grateful for the memories.”
Looking Ahead
As Japan prepares for the potential absence of pandas by early 2026, questions linger about the future of panda diplomacy. Will China send new pandas to Japan, or will the “zero panda moment” mark a new phase in bilateral relations? For now, the focus remains on the two pandas at Ueno Zoo, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who continue to delight visitors in Tokyo. Their scheduled return in February 2026 looms large, but fans and officials alike hope that new agreements will bring more pandas to Japan’s shores.
The departure of Rauhin and her daughters is a reminder of the transient nature of panda loans, but it also underscores the enduring power of these animals to unite people across borders. As the pandas settle into their new home in Chengdu, they carry with them the hopes of thousands of Japanese fans who wish them health, happiness, and a legacy of friendship that transcends politics. For Japan, the pandas may be gone for now, but their impact will linger, etched in the hearts of those who waved goodbye on that June morning in Shirahama.
Paul (Poison Fish) Manjyu Woodman
