Ainu Ancestral Remains Returned to Japan After 160 Years
In a significant move toward historical justice and indigenous rights, the Natural History Museum in London has returned the ancestral remains of seven Ainu people to Japan. The repatriation follows a formal request from the Japanese government and marks the end of a 160-year period during which some of these remains were held in the United Kingdom for research purposes.
- Seven Ainu ancestral remains were repatriated from the Natural History Museum in London.
- A formal handover ceremony took place on May 5, 2026, attended by high-ranking Japanese officials.
- Some remains had been held in London since 1866.
- The remains will be interred at the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in Hokkaido.
The Repatriation Ceremony and Handover
On May 5, 2026, the Natural History Museum hosted a formal ceremony to mark the return of the ancestors. The event was attended by Kikawada Hitoshi, Japan’s Minister of Cabinet Office for Ainu-related Policies, and representatives from the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, led by Executive Director Ōkawa Masaru.
During the ceremony, the museum’s director presented the remains in boxes wrapped in white cloth. This handover is the result of ongoing efforts by the Japanese government to secure the return of indigenous remains held in overseas institutions.
A Century and a Half in Exile
The history behind these remains highlights a dark era of colonial-style research. Some of the remains were donated to the museum in 1866 by the British consul of that time, meaning they remained in London for 160 years. While it is believed they were taken from Japan for research purposes, the specific details regarding their removal remain unknown.
Records indicate that some of the remains were originally excavated from the towns of Mori and Yakumo in Hokkaido. For the Ainu people, the return of these ancestors is more than a legal transfer; it is a deeply emotional reclamation of identity.
“I am filled with emotion just thinking of the feelings of his ancestors who spent many years in a foreign land.”
— Okawa Masaru, Executive Director of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido
A Growing Trend of Repatriation
This event is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend of returning indigenous remains to their rightful homelands. According to reports from NHK, this is the fourth time Ainu remains have been returned from overseas, following a repatriation from the University of Edinburgh last year.
What Happens Next?
The returned remains will be transported to Hokkaido, where they will be interred at a memorial site located within the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi Town. This site serves as a center for the revival and promotion of Ainu culture, making it a fitting final resting place for the ancestors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the remains in London?
The remains were taken to the UK primarily for research purposes. Some were donated to the Natural History Museum by the British consul in 1866.
Who requested the return of the remains?
The repatriation was carried out at the request of the Japanese government, with the cooperation of the Natural History Museum and the Ainu Association of Hokkaido.
Where will the remains be placed?
They will be interred at a dedicated memorial site in the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido.