TOKYO – On September 29, Japan bid an emotional farewell to its cherished giant panda couple, Shin Shin and Ri Ri, as they were safely returned to China from Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens. The pair had been in Japan since 2011, arriving shortly after the country was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Over the years, Shin Shin and Ri Ri became beloved figures, bringing joy to countless visitors.
Their return to China was prompted by health concerns, as the elderly pandas are set to receive treatment for high blood pressure. The announcement of their departure in August led to a surge in visitors eager to see the pandas one last time.
Devoted fans like Hiyori Sakurai, who visited the zoo frequently, found solace in seeing the pandas. “Whenever I go through a hard time, I would go see Ri Ri and Shin Shin, and they always cheered me up,” she shared. Another fan, Etsuko Tokuda, visited nearly every day, savoring each moment with the pandas before their departure.
Known as “envoys of friendship,” pandas have long been a symbol of China’s diplomatic outreach. While the zoo said goodbye to the panda couple, their twins, born in 2021, will remain in Japan. Though many expressed sadness at their departure, retiree Harumi Iteguchi found comfort in knowing that “Ri Ri and Shin Shin will go back together as a couple to their home country.”