There is a good possibility that the Makah Indians of northwest Washington state originated in Japan. They are a seafaring people who hunted whales. They are unique in many respects compared with neighboring Indian tribes.
Many years ago, I took a fishing delegation from Japan to visit the Makah and their museum in Neah Bay, Washington. The Japanese men marveled at the old photos of the Makah men, many of whom were bearded. They said the photos looked just like Ainu. It was one of the high points of their trip to socialize and sing with the Makah people.
greg schuler
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