Photos shows Japan's love of pandas as twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei return to China

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Japanese panda fans gathered Sunday for the final public viewing at Tokyo’s Ueno zoo before twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei return to China.

Their departure on Tuesday will leave Japan with no pandas for the first time in half a century, and the chances of getting a replacement are poor, with Tokyo’s relations with Beijing at their lowest point in years.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors shows how pandas are beloved in Japan.

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Photos shows Japan's love of pandas as twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei return to China

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Photos shows Japan's love of pandas as twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei return to China

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