Some in Hokkaido preserve Ainu culture but the lack of young supporters does not bode well for future efforts

Ainu are indigenous population to Hokkaido and its neighboring islands. Officially, there were 24,000 in Hokkaido in 2000. The number of pure Ainu is not known. This year marks the 10th anniversary since a law on conservation and promotion of Ainu culture took effect.Shigeo Toyokawa, a 75-year-old Ainu, is one of a dwindling number of people devoted to preserving Ainu culture.In 1982, Toyokawa and his colleagues revived the "asir-cep-nomi" (new salmon-saluting ceremony) for the first time in 100 years. There are people who try to preserve Ainu culture but many people are old, so transmission of Ainu culture to young generation is worried.

from The Japan Times. Published: January 25, 2007