Tokyo to commemorate first birthday of giant panda twins on June 20

TOKYO - An event for preschoolers and guardians to celebrate the first birthday of the popular giant panda twins at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in the Japanese capital has been planned for June 20.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will commemorate the first birthday of male panda Xiao Xiao and female twin Lei Lei. The twin cubs were born on June 23, 2021. They have grown steadily, with Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao eating apples for the first time on May 10 and 13, respectively.

The birthday event will be held in the Panda Forest zone, located in the West Garden of the Zoo in the capital's Taito Ward. After a workshop to create celebration message cards, participants can show gifts and cards to the twins and take commemorative photos, seeing the cubs for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Fifteen pairs will be able to take part in the event. Each couple must consist of a preschooler aged 3 or older and their guardian, and must reside in Tokyo. Applications will be accepted on the zoo's website at https: www.tokyo-zoo.net event panda 2022 in Japanese and 15 pairs will be selected by lottery.

A photo spot with a panel featuring the twins' older sister Xiang Xiang will be set up in the Zooo's East Garden between June 7 and July 3 to mark Xiang XiangXiang Xiang's fifth birthday on June 12. A panel featuring Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao is set to be displayed.