TOKYO (AFP) — Two hugely popular pandas at a Japanese zoo will depart on 27 January to join their sister in China, the Tokyo government and media said, leaving Japan panda-less for the first time in half a century.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which operates the city’s Zoological Gardens in the Ueno neighborhood had previously said that the last day for public viewing of twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao would be Sunday before they are flown out of the country two days later.

They are slated to arrive 28 January at a facility in China housing their older sister, Xiang Xiang, Kyodo News agency said.

Loaned out as part of China’s “panda diplomacy” program, the distinctive black-and-white animals have symbolized friendship between Beijing and Tokyo since the normalization of diplomatic ties in 1972.