NAGOYA — Given its historical treatment of the Ainu and the widespread belief that the nation has but one race, can Japan as host of COP10 effectively deal with indigenous rights, which are at the heart of the most contentious issue of the conference?
No, say Ainu representatives who have issued their own calls on Japan to respect their biodiversity rights and return lands that are considered their traditional home, and to ensure the genetic integrity of plants and animals long part of their cultural heritage.
"Japan is not incorporating the concerns of indigenous peoples into the negotiations at COP10, which include negotiations on the rights of indigenous peoples' lands and traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity," said Koji Yuki, an Ainu representative of the World Indigenous Peoples Network. "Japan is not very sensitive about such issues because the idea of two separate ethnic groups in Japan itself is a frightening concept for the Japanese government."