Shotlist Tokyo, Japan - Dec 16, 2025 1. Various of visitors queuing to enter Ueno Zoo 2. Various of visitors queuing at panda pavilion 3. Giant panda eating bamboo, visitors 4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hitoshi Suzuki, chief of animal care and exhibition at Ueno Zoo: "I sincerely want to say thank you to Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei. For me, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born at Ueno Zoo. It has not been easy for their caregivers to raise the first pair of twin giant pandas, but the cubs have brought immense joy, delightful surprises, and countless touching moments. They have also brought happiness to countless visitors, a gift for which I am deeply grateful." 5. Various of giant panda eating bamboo; visitors taking photos of giant panda 6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) tourist (name not given) (ending with shot 7): "Personally, I really don't want them to go. I feel deeply reluctant to see them leave. If possible, I truly wish they could stay forever. However, from the pandas' perspective, China is where they were born and raised, and the environment there is ideal. So, in my heart, I still send them my best wishes." 7. Various of giant panda, visitors at zoo 8. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) tourist (name not given): "Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are set to return to China. The environment there is also very good. I hope they can live healthily in China, and I want to tell them that I will visit you in China." 9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) tourist (name not given): "Today is my first time seeing giant pandas. They are really adorable! I wish more giant pandas could come to Japan." 10. Giant panda eating bamboo 11. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) tourist (name not given): "I'm really sad [about their departure]." 12. Various of visitors buying panda-related goods Storyline A pair of twin giant pandas at a Tokyo zoo are set to return to China in late January, marking the first time in nearly half a century that Japan will have no giant pandas, and a large number of devoted panda fans have flocked to the zoo to bid farewell to the beloved animals. The deadline for the return of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, which have lived at Ueno Zoological Gardens since their birth, is approaching in February under a bilateral lease agreement between Japan and China, a source close to the matter was quoted as saying. Earlier this year, four pandas at a zoo in Wakayama Prefecture were also sent back to China, leaving the Ueno twin pandas as the only leased rare animals in Japan. Since the announcement of the pandas' departure, the park has attracted flocks of tourists every day. According to the arrangements made by Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, visitor numbers to the panda area will be limited starting Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, more than an hour before opening time, a large crowd was already lining up at the entrance. After the park opens, visitors will be guided into the visitor viewing area in groups, with each group allocated approximately one minute of viewing time. According to the park's estimates, from Dec 16 to Jan 25, around 178,000 tourists are expected to visit the panda hall. "I sincerely want to say thank you to Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei. For me, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born at Ueno Zoo. It has not been easy for their caregivers to raise the first pair of twin giant pandas, but the cubs have brought immense joy, delightful surprises, and countless touching moments. They have also brought happiness to countless visitors, a gift for which I am deeply grateful," said Hitoshi Suzuki, the chief of animal care and exhibition at Ueno Zoo. Many people hope that these giant pandas will enjoy a healthy and happy life after returning to China. "Personally, I really don't want them to go. I feel deeply reluctant to see them leave. If possible, I truly wish they could stay forever. However, from the pandas' perspective, China is where they were born and raised, and the environment there is ideal. So, in my heart, I still send them my best wishes," said a tourist. "Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are set to return to China. The environment there is also very good. I hope they can live healthily in China, and I want to tell them that I will visit you in China," said another tourist. "Today is my first time seeing giant pandas. They are really adorable! I wish more giant pandas could come to Japan," said a third tourist. "I'm really sad [about their departure]," one more tourist said. Many visitors have purchased souvenirs featuring Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at park's gift shops to keep as mementos. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]