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© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.Japan rolling out red carpet for pandas
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paulinusa
"Expectations are running high for the pandas to boost Tokyo’s economy and its troubled relations with Beijing."
I hope these pandas have no idea how much Japan is counting on them to solve their problems.
aj2o1
poor pandas may have to face hara-kiri if they fail in their mission
oberst
“I hope the pandas become popular and many Japanese people get to see them so that their impression on China would improve further,” Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Friday.
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is he implying the pandas are as kawaii as the people ? Anyway, it's a good thing people are so happy.
smithinjapan
Sigh... here we go again. Japan shows its outright idiocy, going above and beyond for a few animals while treating most people with indifference at best. Are they going to send the UNESCO ambassador (dog) to meet the pandas? or maybe the Japanese national Tama-chan (the seal)?
Laughing stock.
WordStar
The remarkable thing is that if Kim Jong Il doesn't nuke Tokyo, this will probably be the biggest story of the week.
Sarge
"giant pandas"
I can imagine a giant panda doing battle with Godzilla.
bullfrog
It was too gorgeous for them to know how to step.
nimbus
Actually this is a really smart military defence move by the Japanese; as long as the pandas are in Tokyo, NK would not dare nuke Tokyo.
PT24881
Japan rolls out red carpet for the pandas.. As a courtesy gesture in return, the Chinese promised to roll out also red carpet for the UNESCO ambassador Japanese dog.
Novenachama
A example of Panda diplomacy, a practice that existed back in the Tang Dynasty used for warming the two countries, often strained relationships and as a symbol of political cooperation to also mark breakthroughs in ties. This tradition has been going on for five decades to make friends and influence people in countries from the United States to former Russia, however pandas are no longer used purely as agents of diplomacy, Instead, China offers pandas only on a ten-year loan. Internationally, other rare animals have been given as diplomatic and political gifts such as the Chinese sturgeons and giant tortoises.
gaijinfo
I suppose this is the modern day equivalent of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. The J-politicians are celebrating a couple bears with all their gusto while Japan's economy swirls down the toilet.
tokyokawasaki
Trust me, all of the smiles and happiness will soon be wiped of peoples faces. If these two pandas are destined for the same small 'all concrete' cell which Ling' Ling was imprisoned within, it will be a tragedy.
I find it sad that the majority of Japan does not truly understand animal welfare or compassion in my humble opinion (when compared to the West that is).
Zenny11
tokyokawasaki.
They spend a lot of money improving and upgrading the Panda enclosure, not sure if it will be enough or close to the Giant Panda enclosures in Wakayama, etc here.
tokyokawasaki
Zenny11 - I hope they have spend money on providing adequate and comfortable living space for the majestic creatures..
I remember seeing Ling Ling in about 2003 and she looked very miserable in her concrete and tile cell/viewing room. Yet I was surrounded by kaitei/camera wielding Japanese and a repetitive chorus of Kawaii. I have yet to understand what was kawaii about a very sad and depressing image.
Zenny11
Tokyokwasaki.
Report on TV mentioned 80mil Yen renovation, floor is now heated, bigger splash pool, etc.
Said that Ueno as a Zoo sucks major time, my son refuses to go back after his 1st visit. Tama Zoo is rather nice though.
cleo
The pandas will have quite a large outdoor play area with trees to climb, a sandpit to play in, etc. I also have been dismayed at the way many animals are housed in Japanese zoos. Things are hopefully getting better.