Japan’s beloved panda couple return home to China after heartfelt farewell
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A visitor with stuffed toys of giant pandas Shin Shin and Ri Ri at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Sept 28.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TOKYO – Japan’s beloved elderly giant pandas Shin Shin and Ri Ri were safely returned to China on Sept 29, Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens reported on its website.
The two pandas arrived at the Ueno zoo in 2011, bringing a little lightness to Japan just months after a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the country on March 11 of that year, and continued to draw fans of all ages over the years.
When it was announced in August that the elderly pandas would soon be returned to China
Ms Hiyori Sakurai, an artist in her 30s, said she had been visiting the zoo every Sunday and even on some weekdays when she could take time off from work.
“Whenever I go through a hard time, I would go see Ri Ri and Shin Shin, and they always cheered me up,” she added.
Ms Etsuko Tokuda, a self-employed woman in her 60s, had been going to the zoo almost every day since the announcement of their return.
“Each day was important to me. I wanted to see them even if they were sleeping.”
Native to China, pandas have through the years become “envoys of friendship” and China’s offer of pandas to other countries has been dubbed panda diplomacy.
A visitor takes pictures of giant panda Shin Shin during its last public appearance at Ueno Zoological Gardens on Sept 28.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Sept 28 was the last chance for people in Japan to see Shin Shin and Ri Ri at the Ueno zoo, but their twins, born in June 2021, will remain.
While sad to see the panda couple go, retiree Harumi Iteguchi took some comfort.
“Knowing that Ri Ri and Shin Shin will go back together as a couple to their home country cheered me up a bit.”
