The remains of the Ainu people, which were donated to the Australian side by Japan scholars for research purposes and stored in a local museum, were returned to the Japan side for the first time in about 6 years on June 100 after negotiations between the two governments.
A total of four Ainu remains were returned in Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and present-day Sakhalin.
The remains were donated to the Australian side for research purposes by Japan scholars in the 4s and 1910s and were kept in museums in the capital Canberra and the second largest city Melbourne.
It is said that some of the remains were dug up from the grave, and in 30, the Australian side indicated its intention to return the remains, and it was decided that they would be returned after negotiations between the two governments.
On the 6th, a ceremony was held in Melbourne with the participation of Ainu organizations.
At the ceremony, after the Kamui-nomi, a traditional Ainu ceremony to give thanks to the gods, a museum representative said, "I sincerely apologize for the pain caused to you by taking out the remains, and I sincerely hope that the pain will be alleviated by returning them."
Masaru Okawa, president of the Hokkaido Ainu Association, said, "I think our ancestors must have felt very lonely, and we will pay our respects in Japan."
On the other hand, the remains taken from Sakhalin were exchanged for the remains of Aboriginal people in Australia for research purposes, and these remains are said to be on the Japan side.
Mamoru Tazawa, president of the Enchiu Bereaved Family Association, which is made up of descendants of the Ainu in Karafuto, said, "I pray that the remains of Aboriginal people will be returned as soon as possible from Japan."