Japan to Back Local Govt Bid for Giant Pandas

October 18, 2018

Tokyo- Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Thursday expressed the central government's readiness to support local government efforts to bring more giant pandas from China to Japan.

This followed media reports that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to ask Beijing to lease more giant pandas during his trip to China from Oct. 25.

"Negotiations are under way between the Japanese municipal and Chinese sides, but if realized, it will be widely appreciated as pandas are adored by many people," Suga told a news conference.

"The central government will support local government efforts," he added. Jiji Press