Group 1 - The former director of Ueno Zoo, Toshimitsu Doi, expressed well wishes for the returning giant pandas "Xiaoxiao" and "Leilei," hoping they adapt well to their new environment in China and find suitable mates [1][2] - "Xiaoxiao" and "Leilei," born in 2021 at Ueno Zoo, were returned to China on January 27, 2024, as part of an agreement, with their parents "Bili" and "Xian Nu" also having lived at the zoo [1][2] - Doi emphasized the importance of breeding for giant pandas, stating that returning to their natural habitat in China is beneficial for their species, as there were no suitable mates for them in Japan [1] Group 2 - The popularity of giant pandas in Japan has increased, transforming them from rare animals to "idols," largely due to social media where people share photos and updates about them [2] - On the day of the pandas' departure, many Japanese citizens gathered to bid farewell, highlighting the emotional connection the public has developed with these animals [2] - The current director of Ueno Zoo, Toyofumi Fukuda, acknowledged that the return of the pandas was in accordance with relevant agreements and expressed gratitude to Chinese experts for their collaborative conservation efforts [2]