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Japan Forward
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Pandas Exit, Taiwan Enters as Shirahama Charts New Course
このページを 日本語 で読む Shirahama Mayor Yasuhiro Oe has been giving serious thought to the town's future. Rather than lamenting the return of all four giant pandas from its well-known leisure facility, Adventure World, he's turning his focus toward a broader vision. The pandas are set to leave for China at the end of June, taking with them one of Shirahama's most iconic tourist attractions. In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun , Oe, formerly a member of the House of Councillors, outlined his intention to strengthen ties with Taiwan. "I want to engage with regions that share our values," he said. Read part one here It probably did. Nikai had such close ties to China that some said he could meet with President Xi Jinping more easily than even Japan's prime minister. If he were still in office, I doubt China would have made Adventure World return all the pandas simply because the contract had ended. Actually, on the night of April 24, right after the news broke, a Diet member friend called and said, "Moriyama and Yuko Obuchi are heading to China over Golden Week (the end of April). Should we ask them to request an extension for you?" I appreciated the offer, but I declined and said, "No, thank you." Because I don't believe we must absolutely get the pandas back. If Adventure World had asked for help lobbying for an extension, that would be one thing. But ultimately, this is a matter between Adventure World and China. During talks with Adventure World, I also sensed they didn't want to become politically involved in this issue. Hiroshi Moriyama (far right), chair of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentary League, shakes hands with Liu Jianchao, head of the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department. Beijing, April 28. (Pool photograph) I believe the timing was intentional. China likely wanted to maintain control of the situation and preserve its political leverage. Nevertheless, the shock was very real. During Golden Week, crowds rushed to see the pandas one last time before their departure. This past April, a Chinese Communist Party official from Chenghua visited and expressed interest in formalizing the partnership. I told them, "That could be difficult." I have no intention of pursuing a full sister-city relationship. My hope lies with Taiwan. It's a country that shares Japan's core values: freedom, democracy, and human rights. I want to build ties with partners who uphold those principles. Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (©Sankei by Kiyoshi Ouchi) I'm planning to visit Taiwan and meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on May 22. We've known each other since my days in the Diet. I intend to explain Shirahama's situation and ask her directly for support." As long as I'm mayor of Shirahama, I'll accept the reality that we no longer have pandas. I have no intention of asking the Ishiba administration to bring them back. But if Taiwan is willing to support us in other ways, I'd welcome that wholeheartedly." Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan Forward
21-05-2025
- Japan Forward
Pandas Pulled by China: Shirahama Rethinks Its Tourism Future
このページを 日本語 で読む Adventure World in Wakayama has announced that its four giant pandas will be returned to China at the end of June. After that, only two pandas will remain in Japan — at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. But their lease expires in February 2026. As concern grows over the impending departure of the pandas, some observers point out that China has long used panda loans as a tool for hard currency and diplomacy. In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun , Yasuhiro Oe, former House of Councillors lawmaker and current mayor of Shirahama, outlined a new direction for the town's tourism strategy. First of two parts He expressed a clear intention to move away from Shirahama's heavy reliance on pandas, warning that such dependence risks entangling the town in political maneuvering. alt: He expressed the town's clear intention to move away from heavy reliance on pandas, noting the risks of being caught in international political maneuvering. Excerpts of the interview follow. There's no question they've had a major impact. Thanks to Adventure World's efforts, 17 pandas have been born here, and the park has consistently drawn around 900,000 visitors a year. We're already shifting gears. Shirahama has plenty of other attractions: Shirahama Beach, the hot springs, Sandanbeki Cliffs, and the Senjojiki rock plateau. That said, the townscape still lacks the kind of wonder or escape from daily life that modern tourists seek. Wakayama Prefecture's Shirahama Mayor Yasuhiro Oe during an online interview with The Sankei Shimbun. May 8. On August 1, we'll relaunch Shirarahama Beach as the first phase of our "Post-Panda Project." The goal is to highlight tourism assets that can attract visitors in a stable, sustainable way, without being swayed by global dynamics. No. I first heard the news through a call from a town hall staffer who said, "We've got a serious problem." When I rushed back, reporters were already asking for comments, but I couldn't respond until I knew what had actually happened. Later, when I spoke with the zoo director and manager, they explained that China had told them ten years ago that all pandas would need to be returned once the current lease expired. That contract runs out this August. Still, Adventure World could have given us a heads-up — something like, "At some point, we'll need to return them to China." The pandas in Shirahama are under a direct contract between Adventure World and China. Because the agreement involves the Chinese government, the zoo has had to proceed with extreme caution, like walking on eggshells. I imagine over 90% of the negotiations took place behind closed doors. That's just the reality of dealing with China. There's no denying that China uses pandas as diplomatic tools. Ever since the first pair arrived at Ueno Zoo in 1972, they've controlled the terms. We're just the catchers — they're the ones throwing the ball. If it's a clean pitch, that's fine. But when they throw a wild one, we're left scrambling. And that pattern has continued for decades. A former member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly, Oe went on to serve in the House of Councillors from 2001 to 2013. He represented parties, including the Democratic Party of Japan. Earlier in his career, he worked as secretary to former LDP Home Affairs Minister Kazuo Tamaki. It was a role that helped shape his pro-Taiwan stance. As a national lawmaker, the 71-year-old succeeded former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as president of the Asia-East Friendship Association (now the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association), where he promoted stronger ties between Japan and Taiwan. Continues in: Pandas Exit, Taiwan Enters: Shirahama Mayor Charts New Course Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Sorrow in Japan as 4 pandas prepare for China return amid ‘panda politics' accusations
The impending return of four of the last six pandas in Japan to China this summer has sparked an outpouring of sorrow among animal lovers, alongside accusations that Beijing is wielding 'panda politics' as a subtle form of diplomatic pressure on Tokyo. Advertisement Adventure World, a theme park in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, confirmed on April 24 that all four of its giant pandas would return to China in late June. Although the loan agreement for the pandas does not expire until August, their early return has been scheduled to avoid Japan's sweltering summer heat. The pandas' impending departure triggered an outpouring of emotion on social media. 'I almost cried watching the news,' one user wrote. Television personality Matsuko Deluxe, appearing on the Tokyo MX channel, lamented the loss: 'It's sad. What kind of country does not have pandas? Koala bears are not enough. Isn't having pandas like part of a country's power?' By next year, Japan could face the unthinkable: a future without pandas. The last two remaining pandas in the country — three-year-old siblings Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, currently living at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo — are scheduled to return to China when their loan agreement ends in February 2026. Advertisement Efforts by several Japanese zoos and government officials to secure replacement pandas from China have reportedly gone unanswered, fuelling speculation that the lack of response is more than a simple bureaucratic delay.
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
Panda Parting: Iconic Animals Returning to China from Japanese Zoos
On April 24, the theme park Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama, announced that all four of its giant pandas will return to China around the end of June. The animals' loan agreement expires at the end of August, but the park authorities decided that it would be better if they return before the hot weather of high summer. Adventure World has garnered worldwide attention for its successful panda breeding program, which began in 1994. Eimei (male), born in 1992, came to Japan at the age of two and from 2001 onward successfully bred around once every two years, producing 16 offspring. Of these, 13 have already returned to China and Eimei himself went back in 2023 before dying of illness in January 2024. The four pandas returning in June are Eimei's former partner Rauhin (female), and their three children, Yuihin, Saihin, and Fūhin (all females). After they return, Adventure World will have no more pandas. From July, there will be only two pandas left in Japan: the twins Lei Lei (female) and Xiao Xiao (male) at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. However, their loan agreement will expire on February 20, 2026, meaning Japan may soon find itself panda-less. Rauhin with two cubs at Adventure World in May 2015 (© Jiji) (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo: Rauhin with her cub Yuihin. © Pixta.)
Asahi Shimbun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
4 pandas at Wakayama zoo will be returned to China in June
SHIRAHAMA, Wakayama Prefecture—Fans of the four remaining giant pandas at Adventure World here and local businesses are bracing for their return to the China at the end of June, which the park announced on April 24. Officials of the theme park which includes a zoo, aquarium and amusement park, explained that the lease agreement for the hugely popular attractions is expiring. After the four pandas leave for China, only two giant pandas will remain in Japan, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Adventure World joined a Japan-China giant panda conservation joint project in 1994, and has raised 20 pandas since then. Of those 20, three came from China and the other 17 were born at Adventure World. Currently, a 24-year-old female panda named Rauhin and her daughters, Yuihin, 8, Saihin, 6, and Fuhin, 4, live together in the park. China owns all giant pandas, including those born in Japan. According to the Adventure World, the conservation project period will end in August, and the four pandas will be returned to China at the end of June to avoid the extreme summer heat in Japan. The park will talk to China about leasing other pandas in the future. 'We hope to build on our 30 years of experience and knowledge,' Koji Imazu, the park's director, told reporters. Meanwhile, the lease agreement of the two pandas being raised in Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens will expire on Feb. 20, 2026. DIRECTOR APPRECIATES PANDAS' ROLE Upon learning that all four would be returned to China, many people in the town expressed hope that pandas would return to the zoo. 'I hope the pandas will relax in China, where there are excellent facilities and staff,' Imazu said and praised Rauhin for mothering many cubs at Adventure World. Of Rauhin's three children, who will return to China with their mother, Imazu said, 'We hope that they will also be part of the breeding program.' Adventure World is hoping to lease other pandas and is in negotiations with China. Pandas are one of the big draws of the town. 'If the pandas are all gone, we'll definitely feel the impact. Shirahama Station is even sometimes called 'Panda Station.' We really need pandas, even if it's just one,' said the owner of a souvenir shop that sells panda stuffed animals in front of Shirahama Station. The Chinese government used to give pandas at crucial moments of diplomacy. In 1972, the country gifted two giant pandas named Kang Kang and Lan Lan to Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens to commemorate the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Since 1984, China has focused more on the conservation of the species, and began leasing pandas to zoos in foreign countries for breeding research rather than giving them outright. According to the leasing agreements, China retains ownership of all pandas, even those born in Japan. So, Japan must return them to China when the leases expire. Currently, there are two giant pandas in Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens, which has raised 15 pandas. The two pandas, a male named Xiao Xiao and a female named Lei Lei, are twins born at the zoo in June 2021. Their lease will expire in February 2026, so the Tokyo metropolitan government will seek another pair from China. 'We will make arrangements, including the possibility of leasing other pandas after returning the two,' said a Tokyo metropolitan official. Kobe municipal Oji Zoo also had raised giant pandas. However, since the death of Tan Tan last year, who was the oldest panda in Japan, there have been no pandas in the zoo. The city also expressed its intention of requesting other pandas. (This article was written by Shinichi Katsube, Naoaki Terasawa and Masato Tainaka.)
