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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-03/japans-indigenous-ainu-people-fight-for-recognition/102903914>
'As a young boy in school, Masaki Sashima would be dragged out of his classroom
and beaten by his fellow students.
Masaki, now 72, was different to the other kids.
He was Ainu, an Indigenous people from the country's northern regions, most
notably the large island of Hokkaido.
"During recess, the hallway door would open, and several guys would yell at me
to come out," he said.
"I clung to my desk in the classroom and kept quiet.
"Everyone would surround me and beat me."
Japan has long portrayed itself as culturally and ethnically homogenous,
something that some have even argued is a key to its success as a nation.
More than 98 per cent of Japanese people are descendants of the Yamato people.
But the Ainu are distinct, with their own history, languages, and culture.
But, as the victims of colonialism, assimilation, and discrimination, much of
that identity has been lost.
"Our parents' generation didn't pass down the Ainu culture at all," Masaki
said.
It was only four years ago that Japan passed laws to officially recognise them
as Indigenous people.
Recent changes have helped usher in new tourist attractions, such as museums.
But critics say these reforms are heavy on symbolism but light on substance.
Now the Ainu have shifted their battle to something more substantive: their
rights.'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
