ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of recent developments in the repatriation of Ainu ancestral remains to illustrate the progress along the pathway to decolonizing the collections of Ainu in Japan. Moreover, it discusses challenges arising from this process and provides suggestions for improving repatriation efforts in the future. First, this chapter describes the collection background of Ainu human remains and the initiatives made by Ainu descendants to negotiate the return of these ancestral remains since the 1980s. Then, it presents current developments in the care and repatriation of Ainu ancestral remains, focussing on three topics: a “national resting place,” national guidelines for the return of the Ainu ancestral remains in university collections, and repatriation initiatives pursued by universities. Finally, this chapter identifies key areas for improvements in the current care and repatriation process.
