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July 24, 2026
 

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UENO ZOO

Visitors flock to see four-year-old female giant panda Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Sunday, the last viewing day before her planned return to China.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 25, 2026
Crowds flock to Tokyo zoo to see pandas before they leave for China
The departure of four-year-old twins Xiao ?Xiao and ?Lei Lei leaves Japan without pandas for the ?first time since 1972.
The reflection of one of Ueno Zoo¡¯s twin pandas is seen at their enclosure. The animals¡¯ popularity has prompted concern among local businesses that their departure could hurt foot traffic in surrounding neighborhoods.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society / Longform
Jan 23, 2026
What happens when the pandas leave Ueno?
The return of Ueno Zoo¡¯s last giant pandas underscores how an animal became a diplomatic symbol ¡ª and what happens when that symbol is withdrawn.
The only remaining giant pandas in Japan, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei of Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, are scheduled to be transported by aircraft from Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on the night of Jan. 27, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 20, 2026
Last two pandas in Japan to leave for China on Jan. 27
All giant pandas raised in Japan are on loan from China for breeding research purposes, with ownership remaining with China, including for pandas born in Japan.
Visitors take photos of Lei Lei at Tokyo¡¯s Ueno Zoo on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Dec 16, 2025
Panda fans throng Ueno Zoo to bid farewell to Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei
Visitors stood in line for hours to catch one last glimpse of the two remaining pandas in Japan ahead of their return to China in January.
A polar bear at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Thursday. The Arctic animals are among the most vulnerable species to Japan's scorching summer heat and zookeepers have to take a number of precautions in order to keep them safe.
ENVIRONMENT / Wildlife / OUR PLANET
Aug 31, 2025
How Tokyo¡¯s Ueno Zoo helps their animals cope with extreme heat
From limiting their time outdoors to serving frozen food, the staff at Ueno Zoo take a number of measures to help the animals cope with the heat.
Visitors take photos of Shin Shin at Ueno zoo in Tokyo on Saturday. Saturday was the last chance for Japan's panda-lovers to see Shin Shin and Ri Ri before their return to China.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Sep 29, 2024
Japan¡¯s legions of panda-lovers bid farewell to beloved pair in Tokyo
Avid fans of the pandas congregated outside Ueno zoo overnight to secure a spot in line to see the pair for one minute each.
People watch the male giant panda Ri Ri at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in June 2017.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Aug 31, 2024
Panda pair in Tokyo to return to China
The elderly pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin will be returned to China next month for medical care.
The arowana fish gifted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 11, 2024
Ueno Zoo welcomes Indonesian fish gifted to Japan Imperial couple
The zoo said that it will keep the luxury tropical fish in an area not open to visitors for the time being.
Giant panda Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo's Taito Ward on May 20
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 17, 2024
Clock ticking for transfer of Tokyo giant panda cub twins to China
The likelihood of the transfer is expected to rise when the twins ¡ª who turn 3 on June 23 ¡ª reach an age at which they can breed.
A giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington during one of its last days on American soil. Pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji were returned to China on Nov. 8 upon Beijing's request.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 14, 2023
Pandas don¡¯t play diplomatic hard ball like China does
Panda diplomacy is endangered, with the forced return of three bears from Washington to China an exercise in ¡°dumb power.¡±
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 23, 2023
Tokyo¡¯s twin giant pandas turn 2
Many fans flocked to Ueno Zoo even before opening time to celebrate the twin cubs¡¯ birthday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 10, 2023
Tokyo¡¯s twin panda cubs get ready to become independent
The zoo plans to have the male cub, Xiao Xiao, and his twin sister, Lei Lei, gradually spend more time away from their mother to eventually be just the two of them by the end of this month.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / History / 51³Ô¹ÏÍø TIMES GONE BY
Mar 5, 2023
Japan Times 1998: Sumida most vulnerable if big temblor hits Tokyo
When there hasn¡¯t been a big earthquake for a while, people start to worry and prepare. That seemed to be the case in 1998.
LIFE
Nov 3, 2022
Pandas still popular in Japan, 50 years after first arrival
The first pair of pandas to be kept at Tokyo¡¯s Ueno Zoo, Kang Kang and Lan Lan, arrived from China in October 1972.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Oct 31, 2019
Ueno Zoo¡¯s popular monorail halts service after over 60 years
The much-loved monorail at Tokyo¡¯s Ueno Zoo halted its service on Thursday after more than 60 years in operation, due to the aging of the train and facilities.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 10, 2019
Giant panda cub Xiang Xiang at Tokyo¡¯s Ueno zoo to turn 2 this week
Few birthdays call for greater celebration than that of Xiang Xiang, a female giant panda cub living in Tokyo¡¯s Ueno zoo who will turn 2 years old on Wednesday.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 13, 2018
Ueno Zoo to make panda-viewing easier with new system and extended hours
Ueno Zoo will replace its lottery system for viewing popular cub Xiang Xiang with one that favors early birds.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Media / BIG IN 51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 6, 2018
2018: Year of the 800-pound Gorilla
Four topics dominated Japan¡¯s non-Twitter news cycle for the last quarter of 2017. Two involved sports: the signing of 23-year-old baseball superstar Shohei Otani to play for the Los Angeles Angels of the American League; and the resignation of sumo grand champion Harumafuji after assaulting a younger...
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 2, 2018
Traditional events to welcome Year of the Dog
For many city dwellers, the beginning of the year is a time to rest the body and the soul ¡ª be it at home or at an onsen (hot spring) resort ¡ª but for others, it¡¯s a perfect time to go out and enjoy themselves on the town.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Dec 23, 2017
Tokyo Banana Panda: Ticks the ¡®aww¡¯ box but otherwise bear-ly worth writing home about
Souvenir mainstay Tokyo Banana hasn¡¯t missed its chance to honor Xiang Xiang¡¯s big moment.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

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Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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