Both chambers of the Diet unanimously passed a resolution last week urging the government to recognize the Ainu as an indigenous people. It says the fact that many Ainu people suffered discrimination and poverty during Japan's modernization should be taken seriously. Noting that the Ainu have their own language, religion and culture, it urges the government to heed expert opinions in promoting policy measures that benefit the people.
The resolution thus clearly recognizes that the Ainu suffered under Japan's past assimilation policy. In 1869 Japan gave Hokkaido its current name, unilaterally declared the island part of Japan, and established Kaitakushi (the Development Commission) to encourage Japanese to migrate there.
Friday's resolution is historic in view of the persistent ideology that Japan is an ethnically homogeneous nation. We hope the resolution will help people break a conformist view of Japanese history so that they take a fresh look at it from a wider perspective — something that will strengthen Japan's democracy.