Pandas, and those who adore them, have been central to the culture and economy in Shirahama, Japan for years. But the four pandas at the town’s local zoo really belong to China, and China wants them back, leaving town residents in emotional turmoil.

Shirahama

The town of Shirahama in Japan is facing significant change as China recalls the four pandas that have been central to the local zoo and community for over three decades. The pandas, which were on loan from China as part of a diplomatic agreement, have been major attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and supporting the local economy.

With the lease agreement now expired, Shirahama is expected to lose a substantial number of visitors and millions in revenue. Local officials are considering alternatives, including potential partnerships with Taiwan, though such moves are diplomatically sensitive. Residents and caretakers have expressed deep emotional attachment to the pandas, who received a ceremonial farewell before their departure.

Japan’s panda town was booming. Now China wants them back

It's a very sad day in Japan's panda town. After gracing Shirahama for 31 long years, the bears are heading back to China, with no promise they'll ever be replaced. I remember a lot of things, and I really don't want them to leave. I want to see them again, and I love them every day. In this town, the pandas are celebrities, adorning street corners, buses, food and even government buildings. Their sudden departure, announced just two months prior, makes headlines here. Not that the pandas seem to notice. The gates to the zoo have just opened, and there are so many people here, decked out in their panda gear, waiting to see those bears for one last time. The line to see them is a long one, over an hour, but any wait is worthwhile for the devoted. I've been waiting here since I was a little girl, and this is my third panda, and I've been here every month since my baby was born, so it's very sad. China lends pandas to countries as goodwill ambassadors, and to strengthen trade ties But for this small town of about 20,000 people, the pandas are also an economic lifeline. And the lease agreement between the zoo and China has now expired. Experts we've spoken to predict the town could see an annual loss of about 200,000 tourists, a financial impact of over $41 million. The mayor sees the sudden panda loss as a major problem. One solution, he says, is to look to Taiwan, where he's had ties for decades. The mayor knows his statements are controversial. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, while Taiwan disagrees. Tatsuko Nakao has cared for the pandas from the beginning. She of all people understands why emotions are running high. But she urges fans to remember, the pandas returning to China is nothing personal. On their last day in Japan, the pandas received a ceremonial goodbye. And as the tapes rolled back on the good times, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Now the question is, which animal will be the next star and save Shirahama's economy? Could it be an elephant? A giraffe? Maybe the tail-flicking zebra? The competition is fierce. But perhaps no animal can quite cause pandemonium like the panda.

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