Giant panda Tan Tan came from China to Kobe in the year 2000, five years after a powerful earthquake devastated the western Japanese city.

She was long loved as a symbol of reconstruction and died at Oji Zoo in March 2024 at age 28, which is equivalent to about 100 human years.

Kobe city officials said a contract with China stipulates that Tan Tan be returned to the country even if she dies.

The two sides agreed that Kobe will prepare a taxidermy and a skeletal specimen of Tan Tan before returning them to China.

Officials said the two items have been completed by March this year, and they are proceeding with arrangements to transport them out of Japan.

They are talking with China about the possibility of putting the taxidermy and skeletal specimen on display before returning them.