Attendance at University of Edinburgh Ainu ancestral remains repatriation ceremony

On April 30th, Consul General Katsutoshi Takeda attended an Ainu ancestral remains repatriation ceremony at the University of Edinburgh. This return of remains was made possible by the ongoing efforts of various people involved. After the ceremony, which was conducted by various members of the Hokkaido Ainu Association, the remains were returned by the university. Once the ancestral remains return to Japan, they will be interred at the Memorial Site that has been established in the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park, Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony –UPOPOY – in accordance with the Japanese Government’s guidelines for the repatriation of Ainu on May 3rd.

(Photos provided by Neil Hanna, the University of Edinburgh)