News On Japan

Mayor Expresses Shock as Shirahama’s Pandas to Return to China

Wakayama, Apr 30 (News On Japan) - The entire population of pandas at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, is being returned to China, delivering a major blow to both the mayor and residents. The emotional and economic impact is significant.

Visitors continue to flock to the park ahead of the pandas’ departure, capturing final glimpses of the animals as they tumble and play. Shirahama’s deep connection to pandas traces back over 40 years to when pandas first arrived in the Kansai region. Archival footage from 1979 shows a taxidermied panda displayed at a department store in Osaka under a 100 million yen insurance policy. Two years later, performing pandas thrilled crowds by playing instruments and rolling soccer balls.

In 1994, Shirahama officially became a panda town when two live pandas were loaned to Adventure World for breeding research. Since then, pandas have been central to the town’s identity. Statues, vending machines, hotel rooms, and even train stations prominently feature panda designs. Some hotel rooms are entirely panda-themed, drawing fans from across Japan.

One visitor remarked, "I once considered moving to Shirahama just to be closer to the pandas. I’m glad I didn’t, given what’s happening now."

The return of the pandas has left local businesses anxious. "We’ll try to keep things enjoyable for visitors, but the impact is real," said one hotel operator.

Mayor Yasuhiro Wada expressed deep disappointment, recalling how he first heard the news via a call from town hall while in transit. "I had to turn back immediately. At first, I couldn’t believe it," he said. "It’s painful not to be able to say with conviction that this is still a panda town."

The town is not alone. At Kobe’s Oji Zoo, another panda stronghold in Kansai, the last panda died in March last year. The gate still displays panda illustrations, and the former habitat remains untouched. "We left it as it is in case there’s a chance someday to bring another panda," said the deputy director. Inside, panels recreate the panda’s life, allowing visitors to remember the animal’s legacy.

"She was adored not just by Kobe residents, but by people across Japan. Pandas were simply a part of life," one official commented.

Negotiations to bring pandas back to Japan remain complex. Ownership rests with the Chinese government, and pandas have long played a role in so-called panda diplomacy. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama recently met with Chinese Communist Party officials to request another panda loan.

"Pandas may appear cute and cuddly, but they are highly strategic animals in diplomacy," said political commentator Ken Hamada. "China lends them to countries it wants to foster ties with. They’ve even been sent to the U.S. amid rising tensions and to nations like Indonesia."

As of last summer, only 73 pandas were on loan globally. Given the geopolitical stakes, Japan’s request is no simple matter.

Still, Shirahama hopes to avoid being written off as a "former panda town." "If there’s ever a chance to work together again, we’re happy to help," said local officials. "We don’t want this to be the end of the story."

While some encourage the town to highlight its other attractions, such as its renowned hot springs and proximity to the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, the departure of the pandas leaves a deep void. Whether diplomacy can bring them back remains an open question—and a pressing one for Shirahama’s future.

Source: KTV NEWS

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A professional women’s golf tournament scheduled to begin on July 17th in Miyagi Prefecture was canceled after a bear was spotted on the course, as bear-related incidents continue to mount in northern Japan.

For the first time in 27 years, since the 118th prize in 1998, both the Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize were left without a recipient, marking only the sixth instance in the prize’s history that such a decision has been made.

A host club operator in Nagoya has been arrested for allegedly threatening a female customer at her home in an attempt to collect about 1 million yen in unpaid club bills. This marks the first such arrest in Japan following the enforcement of revised regulations on the adult entertainment industry.

Nissan Motor announced on the evening of July 15th that it will end vehicle production at its key Oppama Plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, by the end of fiscal 2027. Company President Ivan Espinosa held a press conference at 5 p.m. to explain the decision.

About 300 railway enthusiasts gathered near JR Ōmiya Station in Saitama City around 3 a.m. on July 13th, creating chaos that escalated to the point of police intervention.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Travel NEWS

Japan welcomed 21,518,100 foreign visitors in the first half of 2025, exceeding 20 million at the fastest pace ever, according to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization on July 16th. The surge was driven by increased travel during the Chinese New Year holiday and cherry blossom season, resulting in a 21% year-on-year increase.

The video features mainly the latest Gran Class seating and service in 2025. (Solo Travel Japan)

Japan’s first new luxury cruise ship in 34 years, the Asuka III, operated by the NYK Group, is 230 meters long and can accommodate up to 744 passengers, and made its inaugural port call at Hakata Port on Monday morning.

A new pair of works by Leonardo da Vinci are now on display at the Italy Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai, drawing strong attention as one of the venue’s most talked-about exhibits. These newly revealed pieces, part of the renowned "Atlantic Codex," were unveiled on July 14th.

The annual Nachi Fire Festival lit up the stone steps of Kumano Nachi Taisha on Monday in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, with a dramatic procession of blazing torches and sacred mikoshi shrines.

About 300 railway enthusiasts gathered near JR Ōmiya Station in Saitama City around 3 a.m. on July 13th, creating chaos that escalated to the point of police intervention.

The number of people who stayed overnight in Nara City in 2023 reached approximately 2.04 million, the highest figure in the past 15 years.

Typhoon No. 5 made landfall near Cape Erimo in Hokkaido in the early hours of July 15th, marking the first time in nine years that a typhoon has struck the northernmost of Japan’s main islands.