Japan's Last Pandas Face China Return as Taiwan Tensions Rise

• Tokyo’s last two pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, may return to China due to worsening diplomatic relations between Japan and China.
• The potential return is linked to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks regarding Taiwan, which angered China.
• The pandas' public viewing at Ueno Zoological Gardens ends January 25, with uncertainty surrounding the renewal of their lease agreement.
• China uses giant pandas as a tool for diplomatic outreach, and the current situation makes future panda loans uncertain.
• Despite being born in Japan, the pandas are owned by China, and their parents and elder sister have already returned.

Why It Matters: Diplomatic tensions between Japan and China are ending panda diplomacy.