Noda to ask China for disaster zone pandas

boosting public morale is ok but ...what if Pandas become victim of radiation? shouganai (?)

"cost the metropolitan government $950,000 a year for the next decade".

Does not cost the government anything, it cost the tax payer to have a small percentage of the people to be able to see them.

Spend the money on something more of value to serve all.

@issa1 : I thought it was interesting that you mention panda is a bear native to Tibet (cause Panda main diet is bamboo and few vegetation could grow at Tibet's high altitudes). So I went to Google to verify your statement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_panda "The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in Sichuan province, but also in the Shaanxi and Gansu provinces."

look at your own folly before you criticize others, at least Mr Noda is trying to make the children smile again. What have you done to help the tsunami victims?

A Panda? To boost the morale? The Panda? Seriously?

50% jobless rate, people live in crappy cardboard houses conveniently called kasetsu jutaku, kids give up not only college, but even high school because their families can't support them, and you're sending them panda?

this is a disgrace given all the animals that they have abandoned and left to die/fend for themselves in the areas around the fukushima plant

This sounds like diplomacy wrapped in pseudo-feel-good measure as a front.

Sure, pandas are cute --but so are many other non-endangered animals.

Besides the symbolism is sketchy. An endangered species with a very finicky diet whose survival depends on human intervention. What kind of message would that send; oh, poor frail people, have hope.

@issa1 your link doesn't work. And how come we don't see any pandas in Tibet? are you talking about the same species?. Pandas cannot survive in Tibet. It will starve to death and faint.

need to correct an error in my earlier post Thanks for the link. I read it, and it says that a explorer encountered the panda in the mountains of eastern Tibet. It does NOT mean that Panda originated in Tibet or that it only lives in Tibet. Panda can be found in Central China also. Animals do move around, issa1

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Thursday he would ask China to send pandas to a disaster-hit Japanese city to help boost morale among those still suffering from the earthquake and tsunami

Whooat? Give them proper places to live and things to eat. .

Send all Pandas back to China and start buying more food to those victims with that money. Mr. Ding-dong.

japanese like panda vey much. Ranma 1/2 anime very funny.

Pandas? Seriously?

Japan holds two Chinese fishermen............................as hostages for panda ?

I wonder how much they'll offer to pay China from the earmarked disaster relief funds for a pair of pandas that'll probably end up dying as other pandas do here. If the government wants to boost morale, how about putting some donations forward to get people out of cardboard box shelters? Hell, they can even give them a PICTURE of a panda when they move them out of said boxes.

Well, at least the government has clearly defined priorities. Meanwhile, children are living in 20 millisieverts of radiation, eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated milk, because the government can't afford to do anything about. Japan can't afford to increase food inspections, and can only draft amateur volunteers to hose things down for free. Ask him why he won't get a panda for Fukushima if economic development and encouragement are the goals. He wouldn't dare send a panda to an area in which he's delighted to allow children to live.

Thanks for the link. I read it, and it says that a explorer encountered the panda in the mountains of eastern Tibet. It does mean that Panda originated in Tibet or that it only lives in Tibet. Panda can be found in Central China also. Animals do move around, issa1.

j4p4nFTW: "I can't believe that people would criticize this."

I can't believe they wouldn't. How about going up to Tohoku and asking someone in a shelter if they'd rather see a panda bear or have a new home.

"The government is trying to cheer the hearts of the people in the Fukushima area."

No, they're trying to score political points at the people's expense.

"Surely they will see the panda and smile and realize how lucky they are to be alive and to be Japanese..."

Fortunately that's not how people really think and act, because nothing would indicate a lower IQ. You think they would actually think they are happy and lucky to be Japanese as they return to their cardboard box houses after paying (and there would be an entry fee, no doubt) to go see a panda? One panda kept for one year could probably support several households for the same period, but once again the government is seeking ways to put priorities on the ridiculous instead of the people suffering.

"Or maybe some people are just anti-panda because it is a symbol of friendship between Japan and China and their jealousy cannot allow such a strong friendship."

Nope. Just anti-stupid.

Kentaro: "We Japanese do not need or want this imported animal, just to give more money to the money hungry communists in China! I do not even allow my 2 kids to visit Ueno Zoo to see Pandas, for same reason. "

Oh how your kids must look up to you!

@globalwatcher,

"Instead of spending too much money for Panda leasing, the same money can build more housings for Tsunami victims that will satisfy their basic needs."

We already have the money set aside for homes and basic needs. This money is for hearfull expression of kizuna (a bond felt between Japanese)

The Japanese do not need to panda,them need of financial support to reconstruct their homes, their lives...

The Japanese people feel ashamed with a prime minister so stupid as you, Mr. no-da.

The Japanese do not need to panda,them need of financial support to reconstruct their homes, their lives...The Japanese people feel ashamed with a prime minister so stupid as you, Mr. no-da.

lol. I see what you did there. >_^

Sweet lord.... here we go again! "Let's feel sorry-shimashou!" Instead of putting the pandas in a safe place they want to put them in harm's way and hope 'for understanding'. Maybe they can put them next to the hotspring that a few washed out singers tried to bring back to life in the danger zone while they export radioactive debris to other prefectures to make people in the affected areas feel better.

Panda-therapy.

$950,000 a year

To keep big dogs caged ? They can't bring them another brand of circus pet with a lower maintenance ? In our local park, they were bringing the mama-sheeps for the show on Christmas.That kids couldn't care less... but they got the idea to let them there. Every week after, the kids would all bring a bit of bread to the sheep because they knew they were full. And as Spring was arriving, they'd go everyday... till the lambs were born. Then be patient as the newborn lambs couldn't be shown on the first days (well not to so many kids, but they'd let me in, as I could tell them which were males and females). Then they had limited visits. That would take a few more weeks were needed before the lambs were allowed buy their Mums to get out of the shack and come to play with the kids. I really like the way the park staff was organising the thing. The cost was nothing more -the cattle being there or inside a farm.

The money will be spent on wildlife protection in China.

Sure. Why not in North-Korea this year ?

Mr Noda is trying to make the children smile again. What have you done to help the tsunami victims?

I have not diverted $ 500 000 of tax money for a gag and a Christmas present to Chinese officials.

Some are certain to mistake the commotion for パンだ！and are sure to be disappointed.

Mr Noda was a very brilliant PM of Japan. He wants to send a message to the people of Japan passively in order to make everyone to realize a fact that is the nation of Japan MUST understand: Everyone living in Japan must love China otherwise Japan will be living in a 'disaster' zone, the panda was the symbolic representative of Chinese government, it's present in Japan means China's influences over daily life of japanese in everywhere and every moment! A knowledge that is a common sense nowadays no matter you like or dislike!

Kentaro,

"We Japanese do not need or want this imported animal"

Maybe we don't need it, but we definitely want it. You do not speak for all Japanese!

Smithinjapan,

I can't believe they wouldn't. How about going up to Tohoku and asking someone in a shelter if they'd rather see a panda bear or have a new home.

Thank you for offering your point of view on this important matter. I think it is important for us to discuss the issue at hand so that we may come to a mutual agreement on my point of view. Of course, if you ask this question, most people would say they want a panda instead of a new home. To a Japanese it would be too selfish to say "I want a new home." Even if a new home is offered, it must be turned down out of humility. So, building new homes for people is really not a viable option because it is too embarrassing to accept a gift that large. So to cheer our hearts we have the adorable panda, who will be the attraction for many people.

Reject a house and stay living in cardboard cubes? Then what is the point of trying to help at all. Dear God !!!

I really don't know what to say!

The PM's think tank team should be changed.. This is a trick to divert attention by passing on the ball to China, the money to be spent on leasing the panda(s) is badly needed for the homeless, jobless & suffering ( since months ) under the threats of radioactive impact..

@PT24881,

Sorry, but this is not a trick. This is a way to cheer the hearts of people in the region.

j4p4nFTWDec. 26, 2011 - 11:18AM JST

This is a way to cheer the hearts of people in the region.

Again, you cannot read a mind of geopolitics. When dealing with China, PANDA goes with it with expensive leasing fee. PANDA is a national pride of China. Panda Coin, Panda Express........

Instead of spending too much money for Panda leasing, the same money can build more housings for Tsunami victims that will satisfy their basic needs. Do not forget so many victims are still homeless. If you are homeless, does Panda will give you a place to sleep? LOL

Have they asked the pandas if they want to go to Japan?

the Panda is a top priority j4p4nFTWDec. 26, 2011 - 05:23PM JST

Another big screw up while Japan is basically broke and many are homeless and jobless. LOL

j4p4nFTWDec. 28, 2011 - 05:55PM JST

We already have the money set aside for homes and basic needs. This money is for hearfull expression of kizuna (a bond felt between Japanese)

Instead of taking care of core needs of homeless Tsunami victims head-on, J.Gov is shfting the responsibility by giving a little sucker "Kizuna". to them. I am very sorry for these victims. "Kizuna", "Kizuna" and "Kizuna". So pathetic!

I can't believe that people would criticize this. The government is trying to cheer the hearts of the people in the Fukushima area. Surely they will see the panda and smile and realize how lucky they are to be alive and to be Japanese, where the government can cheer the hearts of the people. Or maybe some people are just anti-panda because it is a symbol of friendship between Japan and China and their jealousy cannot allow such a strong friendship.

Are the Government actively looking for sceams to reduce the amount of aid given out...even a truck load of new boxes would probably be of more use than this!

@gloablwatcher

Those are all good and sound points, and I appreciate your point of view. However, the Panda is a top priority and we must have its cute smile to cheer the hearts of people living in disaster area. The Panda will help to power up feelings in the region.

To chiisaishima

Google books / popular science / September 1920 / Page 50 / Combining the bear and the raccoon.

We Japanese do not need or want this imported animal, just to give more money to the money hungry communists in China! I do not even allow my 2 kids to visit Ueno Zoo to see Pandas, for same reason. Anyway, they are lazy and boring animal.Get rid of this hair-brain scheme, moron Noda!

The panda not is an animal original of china,is a bear native tibet usurped and used incorrectly as ambassador of China to improve the image chinese people.

To chiisaishima

Here is the proof that the Chinese government lied by saying that the giant panda is Chinese . Now,tell me, which of these two institutions have more credibility ? Wikipedia or American Museum of nature history ?

http://books.google.com.br****/books?id=7CkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50&dq=%22American+Museum+of+Natural+History%22+tibet+giant+panda&hl=pt-BR&sa=X&ei=8_rzTpKvHYn4gAeOtOGJAg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22American%20Museum%20of%20Natural%20History%22%20tibet%20giant%20panda&f=true