A pair of giant pandas from China have received a vibrant welcome since their arrival at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, despite often-strained ties between the two countries.
Since Ri Ri and Shin Shin were put on show at the zoo in early April, the Ueno area in the east of the capital has drawn more visitors and its economy has revived, locals say.
Around the zoo, panda-themed products abound, and cartoon panda signs have been posted almost everywhere.
The pandas are estimated to have caused the number of visitors to the zoo to grow by around 70 per cent, said Mayo Takayanagi, a spokeswoman for the municipality-run facility. (monstersandcritics.com)
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