Tokyo Bids Farewell to Last Pandas Amid Souring Japan-China Relations

• Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens bid farewell to Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, Japan's last two pandas, returning to China.
• This marks the first time in 50 years Japan will be without pandas, which have symbolized friendship since 1972.
• The pandas' return follows a souring of relations between Japan and China, intensified by comments from Japan's conservative premier Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
• Visitors, including 4,400 lottery winners, expressed sadness and hope for the pandas' future return as a sign of improved bilateral ties.
• Experts suggest future panda returns could symbolize warming relations if both nations intend to improve ties.

Why It Matters: Japan bids farewell to its last pandas, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, reflecting strained diplomatic ties with China.