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4 Giant Pandas Seen Well after Returning to China from Wakayama Prefecture
4 Giant Pandas Seen Well after Returning to China from Wakayama Prefecture

Yomiuri Shimbun

time12-07-2025

  • Yomiuri Shimbun

4 Giant Pandas Seen Well after Returning to China from Wakayama Prefecture

SHANGHAI — Four giant pandas who returned to China last month from the Adventure World theme park in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, are doing well in a video released from a research base. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's Sichuan Province posted the video on its social media account on Thursday. This is the first time that the research base has posted updates of the four pandas — Rauhin and her daughters, Yuihin, Saihin and Fuhin — since their return to China in June. The 39-second video, titled 'Quarantine diary of Rauhin's family,' shows how the pandas are spending their quarantine period, such as Fuhin relaxing and Saihin eating bamboo. It appears that the research base will continue to regularly offer such updates. Fans are eagerly awaiting the public viewing of the four pandas, posting on a Chinese social media platform such comments as 'They are a cute parent and cubs,' and 'I can't wait to see them!'

Japan's panda capital is losing its pandas. What comes next?
Japan's panda capital is losing its pandas. What comes next?

CTV News

time10-07-2025

  • CTV News

Japan's panda capital is losing its pandas. What comes next?

Adventure World has been home to pandas for nearly 31 years. (Yumi Asada/CNN via CNN Newsource) They came, dressed in black and white, wearing furry hats, and clutching banners and soft toys. With tears in their eyes and sobs in their throats, they waited patiently in line under the scorching sun for one last glimpse before it was all over. Pandas have become huge celebrities in the Japanese town of Shirahama. Over three decades, their presence at the local Adventure World zoo has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors whose love for the cute creatures has elevated them to cult status and put the town on the map. But now, the four pandas of Shirahama — Rauhin, age 24, and her daughters Yuihin, 8, Saihin, 6, and Fuhin, 4 — are leaving. Though they were all born in this town, the pandas ultimately belong to China, which began lending pandas to Shirahama in 1994. This year, China declined to extend the agreement and summoned them back to their ancestral home. No more are due to take their place. In Japan's panda capital, facing a future without its bears, the public was bereft. 'Being here brought back so many memories,' wept Shiori Sakurai, one of many panda fans turning out to bid farewell at a ceremony on June 27. 'And I realized, I really don't want them to go. Let's meet again, OK? I'll keep loving you every single day.' 'It's simply sad,' said Mihoko Ninomiya, joining the crowds at the Adventure World for the last time with her daughter and granddaughter — 'three generations of panda fans' who have made monthly pilgrimages to see the bears. 'We've been coming here since my daughter was a little girl,' she said. 'We will miss them terribly.' Japan panda tourism Panda fan Tomomi Miyaji says the bears inspired her to become a mother. (Yumi Asada/CNN via CNN Newsource) Separation from the bears will be tough for Shirahama, a resort destination tucked away on the southern coast of Japan just 90 miles south of Osaka. Reminders of their fluffy, black-and-white faces are everywhere, from trains and buses to restaurants and souvenir shops. Known as Panda Town, it has long hosted crowds of visitors seeking panda-themed vacations, the highlights of which are watching their favorite bears hugging trees, munching on bamboo and somersaulting in their enclosures. The bears — also called 'panda' in Japanese — have for decades been an economic lifeline for the town's 20,000 people. With the departure of the final four pandas, the town is in limbo. Katsuhiro Miyamoto, a professor emeritus of economics at Kansai University, estimates that the town has generated 125.6 billion yen (US$870 million) in revenue from the panda economy over the past three decades. 'The pandas are the biggest draw for tourism, and without them, the number of tourists will drop,' he tells CNN. Without the animals, the town could lose up to 6 billion yen (US$41 million) per year, equivalent to 40% of Shirahama's annual budget, he says. It will lose 200,000 tourism visitors per year, he estimates, and that decline will cause job losses and accelerate depopulation, forcing younger generations to move to other cities for better work opportunities. A walk around the town lays bare how heavily Shirahama's tourism industry relies on these bears loaned from China. Hotels offer panda-themed rooms. Vending machines are covered in manga versions of the bears. Restaurants serve bowls of ramen and desserts with panda-tastic twists. Satsuki Kitai runs a souvenir shop near the Shirahama train station, selling panda plushies and panda-themed snacks. She says the family business, which has been around for nearly 80 years, derives 40% of its revenue from the sales of panda souvenirs. 'When something had a panda on it, it was easy for customers to pick it up,' she tells CNN. 'We haven't really decided whether we'll gradually phase them out or keep them as 'panda memory,'' she adds. Other business owners in the town are pondering the same choice. Scenic Shirahama was once famous for its onsens, or hot springs, said to be among the oldest in Japan. But after their lure began to fade in the late 20th century, the town reinvented itself by centering its appeal around Youhin and Eimei, the first two pandas it received from China in 1994. For 31 years, that bet has paid off, thanks to Japanese people's love for the cuddly animals. It was apparently good for the pandas, too: Rauhin's partner, Eimei, fathered a total of 16 cubs with her and a previous female panda, Meimei, seen as the most successful panda breeding program outside of China. But now what? Panda diplomacy It's not just a matter of finding another source to replace the bears. China lends pandas to countries, including the US, as goodwill ambassadors and to strengthen trade ties. In Shirahama, unfortunately, this 'panda diplomacy' seems to have run its course. Typically, pandas are loaned for 10 years, while cubs born in zoos overseas are returned to China by age four. Beijing's decision to offer or extend existing panda agreements is based on various factors — a move experts say can be linked to deteriorating diplomatic ties. While it's unclear why China declined to extend the contract with Shirahama, Masaki Ienaga, an associate professor of international relations at the Tokyo Woman's Christian University, believes politics may be at play. Last year, Shirahama elected Yasuhiro Oe, a politician who takes a pro-Taiwan stance. That may have upset China, Ienaga says. Cross-strait relations have long been a sensitive issue, with China's ruling Communist Party claiming the self-ruling democracy of Taiwan as its own. 'China thinks the Taiwan issue is something it cannot ignore,' says Ienaga. Oe told CNN that he was aware of the suggestion but rejected the possibility. 'I'm the head of a small town of 20,000 people,' he says, 'and just because I have relations with Taiwan, will China say 'return the pandas' and demand all four back?' In response to CNN's enquiries, China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that Taiwan is 'purely China's internal affairs.' 'Some Japanese politicians should be mindful of the lessons of history…and be cautious in their words and deeds on the Taiwan issue,' it said. The spokesperson's office added that China and Japan have maintained exchanges on panda protection. But Ienaga notes that even if Beijing decides to send more pandas to Japan, it'd be unlikely that they would return to Shirahama if politics were behind the current decision to end the panda lease. Oe says he has a few solutions to the impending tourism crisis up his sleeve, one of which involves playing to his strength — getting more travelers to come from Taiwan. 'What's easy to understand is that I'm asking for help from the people in Taiwan with whom I have a relationship,' he says. Despite the bears' departure, the Japanese train operator JR West has said it will continue to operate a panda-themed service connecting the town with Kyoto and Osaka. But like souvenir shop owner Kitai, who is struggling to deal with the traces of the pandas left behind, Oe is less certain about the future. At the entrance of the government building, a sign reads: 'Shirahama, the town of pandas.' 'We're wondering what I should do with that sign, too,' he says. Japan still has two pandas at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. But their lease is due to expire next year. And many attending the farewell ceremony at the Adventure World zoo felt a personal relationship with the pandas in Shirahama. The zoo's director, Tatsuko Nakao, who has looked after the pandas since day one, reminisced over her first encounters with the bears as she flicked through an album of old photographs. 'I never imagined she would become such a wonderful mother,' she said, looking at a picture of Rauhin. She said she believes it's for the best that Rauhin gets to retire with her daughters in China, where she gets better bamboo. Eimei, the father panda, was 'my teacher,' she said. Before the age of the internet, when information about the species was scant, Nakao spent a lot of time observing him. He was sent back to China in 2023 and died there earlier this year at the age of 32. Also among those saying farewell was Tomomi Miyaji, who recalled how she struggled with the prospect of motherhood until watching a documentary about Adventure World's panda mother, Rauhin, giving birth. 'I felt encouraged that I could do it too,' she told CNN. To honor Rauhin, Miyaji even took inspiration from Yuihin, one of Rauhin's cubs, when naming her own daughter. 'I feel like crying. Just thinking about the fact that this place will be empty from tomorrow brings tears to my eyes.' Article written by Yumi Asada, Hanako Montgomery and Chris Lau, CNN

Ardent Japanese fans bid farewell to four lovable giant pandas as they return to China
Ardent Japanese fans bid farewell to four lovable giant pandas as they return to China

The Star

time28-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • The Star

Ardent Japanese fans bid farewell to four lovable giant pandas as they return to China

TOKYO, June 28 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Fans bid farewell to all four giant pandas at a zoo in the western Japanese prefecture of Wakayama as they left Saturday morning for their new home in China, Xinhua reported. Early morning at Adventure World amusement park in the coastal town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, park staff waved flags to bid farewell to the giant pandas, while many fans, wearing T-shirts with pictures of the pandas on them, waited at the intersection outside the park to wave goodbye when the pandas' transport trucks passed by. The giant pandas, 24-year-old Rauhin and her three daughters, 8-year-old Yuihin, 6-year-old Saihin and 4-year-old Fuhin, left for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's Sichuan Province as the contract for a bilateral joint conservation project is set to expire shortly. On Friday morning, some 1,400 people lined up in front of Adventure World before it opened for the pandas' final public display, many of whom were veteran "panda fans". Some carried tote bags covered with panda badges, some wore T-shirts featuring photos of the "Hin Family", and some wore panda-shaped hats. The queue to see the four pandas prompted the amusement park to open at 9 am local time, an hour earlier than usual. As soon as the gate opened, the first group of visitors rushed straight to the panda exhibit zone. Due to the need for quarantine ahead of the pandas' travel, the public had been able to see them only in isolated rooms instead of outdoor enclosures, but even so, the place was crowded with a large number of panda enthusiasts. In the exhibit zone, Rauhin slowly paced, and after a few laps, she returned to the wooden frame and sat down with her back facing the visitors. However, when she noticed small children standing in front of the glass, she would get up and walk over, as if it were a natural expression of maternal love. Next door, one of the daughters, Saihin, was as lively as ever. As soon as she appeared, she started to munch on bamboo with big mouthfuls, her expression focused and her movements playful. Kirie Sakai, who travelled from Kanagawa Prefecture carrying professional photography equipment, told Xinhua, "Since Saihin was born, I have driven seven or eight hours almost every month to watch her grow. She has grown from such a small cub to where she is today, and I am truly happy." Rauhin gave birth to so many cubs, bringing so much joy to people, she added, "Although it is sad to see them off, I wish for them to stay healthy in China." The park also set up a memory exhibition to display the messages that the keepers wrote for the giant pandas. A board dedicated to Saihin reads: "You are one who acts what she pleases yet loves to be spoiled. Although you are willful, I really enjoy every moment spent with you. Keep living freely in the future!" In a message addressed to Fuhin, the keeper recalled the scene when he touched the newly born Fuhin: "That warmth will remain unforgettable for my entire life!" The park's Director Koji Imazu said that since Adventure World began the joint breeding programme with the Chinese panda research base in 1994, more than 70 Chinese experts have come to the zoo to offer guidance, and over 50 Japanese keepers have participated in bilateral exchanges. Later at 4 pm local time, some 3,500 people attended a farewell ceremony jointly organised by the amusement park and the Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka. Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian said in his speech: "We believe that no matter in Japan or in China, people's love for the giant pandas will not change due to distance, nor will it diminish over time." "We hope that this special bond born out of pandas will become the nourishment that nurtures the mutual understanding and affection between the two peoples and foster everlasting friendship for generations," he added. - Bernama-Xinhua

Fans bid teary farewell to four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan before their return to China
Fans bid teary farewell to four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan before their return to China

Japan Today

time27-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Japan Today

Fans bid teary farewell to four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan before their return to China

Giant panda Saihin, one among the four pandas on loan to Japan which will soon be heading back to China chews bamboo inside an enclosure at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on Friday. By AYAKA MCGILL and MARI YAMAGUCHI Thousands of fans bid a teary farewell Friday to a family of four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan's coastal town of Shirahama as the animals made their last public appearance before their return to China. Around 3,000 visitors flocked to the Adventure World theme park to get a last glimpse of the beloved animals. Many rushed straight to the panda exhibit zone, calling out the names of their favorites. Although the 24-year-old mother Rauhin and her three daughters — Yuihin, Saihin and Fuhin — were all born and raised at the park, they remain on loan from China and must now be returned. Once they return to China, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo will be the only pandas left in Japan. More than 1,000 people, many wearing panda-themed attire, queued outside the entrance of the theme park hours before it opened while some camped outside the night before. Some people wiped off tears while viewing throwback images of the pandas when they were cubs. Yoshihiko Fukuzumi recalls the arrival of the first two pandas at the park 30 years ago and has watch their family grow. Since retiring three years ago, he and his wife have visited them nearly everyweek. 'To us, they are like our grandchildren." Giant pandas are native to southwestern China and serve as an unofficial national mascot. Beijing lends them to other countries as a sign of goodwill but maintains ownership over them and any cubs they produce. Born in 2000, Rauhin had seven other cubs with Eimei, a male panda sent from China in 1994. Eimei returned home two years ago and has since died. Despite strained political ties between Japan and China, giant pandas are hugely popular in Japan. 'We feel comforted just by looking at pandas,' said zoo director Koji Imazu. Imazu said the departure of the four pandas marks the end of the zoo's 30-year joint project with China. He thanked Chinese specialists for sharing their expertise with the Japanese staff and said the zoo will be ready for a new arrival at any time. 'Of course we all miss them, but I hope you could send them off with a cheerful wave and wish them well in China,' Imazu said. In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said giant pandas are 'friendly ambassadors" conveying the goodwill of the Chinese people. Guo said that China and Japan have collaborated on panda conservation and research since 2000, and that China is ready to further strengthen international cooperation, including with Japan. Rauhin and her daughters will be flown to China on Saturday where they will join other pandas at a facility in Sichuan province near their original habitat. There, the three young ones will find partners. 'I still can't believe they're all leaving,' said Junko Ikeda, a Fuhin fan from neighboring Nara prefecture who spent Thursday night in her camper van for the send-off. "I hope she finds a partner, becomes a mother and lives a happy life.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Fans bid teary farewell to four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan before their return to China
Fans bid teary farewell to four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan before their return to China

Associated Press

time27-06-2025

  • Associated Press

Fans bid teary farewell to four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan before their return to China

SHIRAHAMA, Japan (AP) — Thousands of fans bid a teary farewell Friday to a family of four giant pandas at a zoo in Japan's coastal town of Shirahama as the animals made their last public appearance before their return to China. Around 3,000 visitors flocked to the Adventure World theme park to get a last glimpse of the beloved animals. Many rushed straight to the panda exhibit zone, calling out the names of their favorites. Although the 24-year-old mother Rauhin and her three daughters — Yuihin, Saihin and Fuhin — were all born and raised at the park, they remain on loan from China and must now be returned. Once they return to China, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo will be the only pandas left in Japan. More than 1,000 people, many wearing panda-themed attire, queued outside the entrance of the theme park hours before it opened while some camped outside the night before. Junko Ikeda, who came from the neighboring prefecture of Nara, slept in her camper van Thursday night to secure a parking spot for the pandas' send-off. 'I still can't believe they are all leaving,' Ikeda said. Giant pandas are native to southwestern China and serve as an unofficial national mascot. Beijing lends them to other countries as a sign of goodwill but maintains ownership over them and any cubs they produce. Born in 2000, Rauhin had seven other cubs with Eimei, a male panda sent from China in 1994. Eimei returned home two years ago. Despite strained political ties between Japan and China, giant pandas are hugely popular in Japan. 'We feel comforted just by looking at pandas,' said zoo director Koji Imazu. Imazu said the departure of the four pandas marks the end of the zoo's 30-year joint project with China. He thanked Chinese specialists for sharing their expertise with the Japanese staff and said the zoo will be ready for a new arrival at any time. 'Of course we all miss them, but I hope you could wish them good health when they go to China,' Imazu said. In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said giant pandas are 'friendly ambassadors' conveying the goodwill of the Chinese people. Guo said that China and Japan have collaborated on panda conservation and research since 2000, and that China is ready to further strengthen international cooperation, including with Japan. Rauhin and her daughters will be flown to China on Saturday where they will join other pandas at a facility in Sichuan province near their original habitat. There, the three young ones will find partners. ___ Associated Press journalist Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.

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