Problems in the repatriation of Ainu human remains: a comparison between Japan and the United States of America

Nakamura, Naohiro (2017) Problems in the repatriation of Ainu human remains: a comparison between Japan and the United States of America. Hokkaido Minzokugaku (Hokkaido Journal of Ethnology), 13 . pp. 31-40. ISSN 1881-0047

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Abstract

Recently the repatriation of indigenous human remains from former colonial research institutions to indigenous peoples has been widely observed globally. In Japan, since the 1980s, the Ainu have demanded the return of Ainu human remains and in 2012, a legal action was launched against Hokkaido University, who has long failed to accommodate the demand of the Ainu. Japanese universities still keep some 1600 Ainu human remains. The national government proposed a plan to transfer all such human remains to the new memorial hall to be constructed in Shiraoi, by 2020, but the Ainu advocates are requesting the remains to be returned to the Ainu. By referring to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, this article discusses the legal challenges in Ainu human remain repatriation in the context of Japan. The article also proposes a means to accelerate repatriation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DS Asia G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology K Law > KZ Law of Nations
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment
Depositing User:	Naohiro Nakamura
Date Deposited:	20 May 2018 22:21
Last Modified:	20 May 2018 22:21
URI:	http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10756

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