Episode 72: Preserving the endangered Ainu language
The Ainu language has been declared critically endangered by UNESCO, with few people left alive today who speak it. The Ainu are Japan's indigenous population and Japan Times contributor Mara Budgen has been meeting with them to better understand their remaining culture, the difficulties they ...
The Ainu language and the global movement for indigenous rights
With the Ainu language considered to be on the brink of extinction, global connections are breathing new life into revitalization efforts.
‘Ainu Mosir’: A coming-of-age tale, respectfully told
Takeshi Fukunaga’s film centered on the indigenous people of northern Japan tells the story of a 14-year-old boy learning to appreciate his heritage.
Ainu group's fishing lawsuit is first to seek confirmation of indigenous rights
A group representing the ethnic minority in northern Japan is seeking an exemption from a ban on the commercial fishing of salmon in rivers.
The 8,600-square-meter museum, a park and a memorial make up the complex named Upopoy, which means "singing in a large group" in the Ainu language.
Ainu still battling poverty and barriers to education, representative says
Poverty and insufficient education remain major problems for many Ainu people, the leader of a group for the Japanese indigenous people has said, calling for stronger assistance. Tadashi Kato, executive director of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, made the remark in a recent interview ahead ...
'AINU' trademark application criticized by Japan's indigenous people
An application by an individual in China to register a trademark using the name of Japan's indigenous Ainu people has been criticized for being an attempt to profit off their culture. Documents disclosed by the Japan Patent Office showed Wednesday that an application was lodged ...
Olympic snub: Dance of Japan's indigenous Ainu dropped from opening ceremony
Olympic organizers have dropped a dance by Japan's indigenous Ainu people from the opening ceremony of this year's Summer Games, a representative of the minority group said on Friday. "Ainu dancers will not be included in the opening ceremony in Tokyo," said Kazuaki Kaizawa, an ...
Prayers grow for snow in Sapporo after dire shortage threatens annual sculpture festival
Every year, tens of thousands of tourists flock to the Sapporo Snow Festival, attracted by some 200 large but intricate ice sculptures. But this year, there was a problem: no snow. With high temperatures that festival-goers put down to climate change, organizers were forced to truck ...
New Ainu culture complex generating little buzz outside Hokkaido
Upopoy, a new national facility intended to revitalize and develop the culture of Japan's indigenous Ainu people, is facing challenges attracting attention ahead of its opening on April 24 in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. The new complex may miss the annual goal of 1 million visitors set ...
Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso again courts controversy with remarks about Japan's ethnic identity
Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso apologized Tuesday for saying Japan has been unified under a single language and ethnic identity for the past 2,000 years, a comment viewed as ignoring the country's ethnic minorities including the indigenous Ainu. "If I made a remark that has ...
National Ainu Museum in Hokkaido to exhibit over 700 artifacts
A national museum dedicated to the Ainu ethnic minority in northern Japan will exhibit more than 700 artifacts, an official said Thursday, as the facility offered a preview to the press ahead of its official opening in April. The museum, which together with a park ...
