(Japan's) Diet officially declares Ainu indigenous

[Linda Lanz]

Diet officially declares Ainu indigenous
by Masami Ito

The Japan Times
June 7, 2008

The Ainu celebrated a historic moment Friday as the Diet unanimously  
passed a resolution that recognizes them as indigenous people of Japan.

The unprecedented resolution was adopted by both chambers,  
acknowledging the Ainu's hardships from discrimination and poverty.

"This is a historical event for us because the past injustices were  
finally put to an end," said Tadashi Kato, chairman of the Ainu  
Association of Hokkaido, who came to Tokyo to hear the Diet  
resolution from the gallery. "I am so thankful that the light has  
shone on us," he said, his voice full of emotion.

The resolution states "the government shall recognize that the Ainu  
are indigenous people who have their own language, religion and  
culture."

It also calls on the government to refer to the U.N. Declaration on  
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and take comprehensive steps to  
advance Ainu policies while heeding the opinions of specialists.


Access full article here:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080607a1.html

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