Japan to get more 'face time' with new panda cub

Visiting hours for panda cub Xiang Xiang have been extended to seven hours a day at a zoo in Tokyo to meet demand, reports the Asahi Shimbun.

Giant panda cub Xiang Xiang presented to the media in Japan a day before its public debut at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, December 18, 2017 [File Photo: VCG]

The Ueno Zoo will keep the young cub in its public display from 9:45am to 4:45pm on a daily basis.

Xiang Xiang was born on June 12, 2017.

The young female made its public debut on December 19, 2017.

It's being reported a daily limit of 2,000 visitors is set to be scrapped at the end of January.

The extension of 'panda diplomacy' in Japan comes as Finland prepares to welcome a pair of giant pandas on Wednesday.