Remains of 3 Ainu People Return from U.K.; Erimo, Urakawa, Kushiro Region Remains Were Held at University of Edinburgh

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:51 JST, May 21, 2025

CHITOSE, Hokkaido — The remains of three Ainu individuals, which had been held at the University of Edinburgh, have returned to Hokkaido from the United Kingdom.

Masaru Okawa, executive director of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, and his delegation arrived at New Chitose Airport on May 3 after traveling to the United Kingdom to receive the remains.

“I can only imagine our ancestors’ thoughts after spending so many years in a foreign land. I believe they are pleased to return home,” he said.

The three sets of remains, which are said to have been found in Erimo, Urakawa and the Kushiro region, were reportedly donated to the University of Edinburgh by a doctor from Scotland.

Upopoy (the Symbolic Place for Ethnic Harmony) in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, will manage them, while the remains from the Kushiro region, subject to a repatriation request by a local organization, will be returned to the region upon completion of procedures.

The handover involved six members of the association, including Okawa, who traveled to the United Kingdom. A repatriation ceremony took place there.

“There have been reports that the remains [of Ainu individuals] are stored in eight countries, including the United Kingdom. If arrangements can be made, we want to go and retrieve our compatriots and ancestors as soon as possible,” Okawa told reporters at the airport.