Pandas Pulled by China: Shirahama Rethinks Its Tourism Future

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Adventure World in Wakayama has announced that its four giant pandas will be returned to China at the end of June. After that, only two pandas will remain in Japan — at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. But their lease expires in February 2026. As concern grows over the impending departure of the pandas, some observers point out that China has long used panda loans as a tool for hard currency and diplomacy.

In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun, Yasuhiro Oe, former House of Councillors lawmaker and current mayor of Shirahama, outlined a new direction for the town's tourism strategy.

First of two parts

He expressed a clear intention to move away from Shirahama's heavy reliance on pandas, warning that such dependence risks entangling the town in political maneuvering.

alt: He expressed the town's clear intention to move away from heavy reliance on pandas, noting the risks of being caught in international political maneuvering. Excerpts of the interview follow.

Envisioning 'Post-Panda' Shirahama

Since the arrival of two giant pandas at Adventure World in 1988, the animals have played a key role in attracting visitors for over three decades.

There's no question they've had a major impact. Thanks to Adventure World's efforts, 17 pandas have been born here, and the park has consistently drawn around 900,000 visitors a year.

With the pandas returning to China, are you worried about the impact on tourism?

We're already shifting gears. Shirahama has plenty of other attractions: Shirahama Beach, the hot springs, Sandanbeki Cliffs, and the Senjojiki rock plateau. That said, the townscape still lacks the kind of wonder or escape from daily life that modern tourists seek.

*Wakayama Prefecture's Shirahama Mayor Yasuhiro Oe during an online interview with The Sankei Shimbun. May 8.*

On August 1, we'll relaunch Shirarahama Beach as the first phase of our "Post-Panda Project." The goal is to highlight tourism assets that can attract visitors in a stable, sustainable way, without being swayed by global dynamics.

Distrust Toward 'Panda Diplomacy'

AW announced the pandas would be returned to China on April 24. Was this decision coordinated with the town?

No. I first heard the news through a call from a town hall staffer who said, "We've got a serious problem." When I rushed back, reporters were already asking for comments, but I couldn't respond until I knew what had actually happened.

Panda leases in Japan have often been extended in the past. Was the town consulted about the decision to return all four pandas?

Later, when I spoke with the zoo director and manager, they explained that China had told them ten years ago that all pandas would need to be returned once the current lease expired. That contract runs out this August. Still, Adventure World could have given us a heads-up — something like, "At some point, we'll need to return them to China."

It all feels shrouded in secrecy. Is it?

The pandas in Shirahama are under a direct contract between Adventure World and China. Because the agreement involves the Chinese government, the zoo has had to proceed with extreme caution, like walking on eggshells. I imagine over 90% of the negotiations took place behind closed doors. That's just the reality of dealing with China.

So, we wake up one day, and the pandas are just gone?

There's no denying that China uses pandas as diplomatic tools. Ever since the first pair arrived at Ueno Zoo in 1972, they've controlled the terms. We're just the catchers — they're the ones throwing the ball. If it's a clean pitch, that's fine. But when they throw a wild one, we're left scrambling. And that pattern has continued for decades.

About Yasuhiro Oe

A former member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly, Oe went on to serve in the House of Councillors from 2001 to 2013. He represented parties, including the Democratic Party of Japan.

Earlier in his career, he worked as secretary to former LDP Home Affairs Minister Kazuo Tamaki. It was a role that helped shape his pro-Taiwan stance. As a national lawmaker, the 71-year-old succeeded former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as president of the Asia-East Friendship Association (now the Japan-Taiwan Friendship Association), where he promoted stronger ties between Japan and Taiwan.

Continues in: Pandas Exit, Taiwan Enters: Shirahama Mayor Charts New Course

Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun

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