The current row between China and Japan over five North Korean refugees has created problems for a Japanese zoo, which is trying to breed two giant pandas borrowed from China.

Oji Zoo in western Japan leased the pair from a Chinese research institution two years ago for a 10-year joint breeding project.

The zoo is now concerned over the reproductive capability of the supposedly male panda Koko, and needs to ask the opinion of Chinese experts.

But it says this is impossible given the continuing diplomatic situation.

The two countries disagree over whether or not Chinese police removed the asylum seekers from a Japanese consulate in Shenyang with Japanese permission.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service