Tokyo to extend lease on giant panda Xiang Xiang's parents

Tokyo is set to extend the lease on a giant panda couple on loan from China, while their popular female offspring Xiang Xiang will depart the Japanese capital as planned by the end of the year, Gov. Yuriko Koike said Friday.Koike said Tokyo is in the final stages of negotiations with the Chinese side to extend the loan period of male panda Ri Ri and female Shin Shin, both 15, at the Ueno Zoological Gardens.China has ownership of Xiang Xiang, born at the zoo in June 2017. The cub's parents came to Japan in February 2011 under a 10-year lease agreement."Pandas are very lovable. We would conti…READ FULL ARTICLE