Jan. 26 (UPI) -- People flocked to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo to say goodbye to the last two giant pandas in Japan.
Twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will leave for China Tuesday, marking the first time Japan has had no pandas since 1972, which is when the two countries began diplomatic relations.
The relationship between the two neighboring countries has deteriorated lately after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan would get involved if China attacked Taiwan.
China uses the giant panda as a tool of outreach and goodwill in what is called "panda diplomacy." Host countries pay about $1 million per year to China.
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