Survey to cover indigenous Ainu nationwide

The Japanese government is going to conduct a survey on the living conditions of the indigenous Ainu people ahead of drawing up a new law aimed at providing them with nationwide support.

The central and prefectural government in Hokkaido have been providing support for the Ainu, most of who live in Hokkaido. But, outside of Hokkaido, public assistance for the Ainu lags behind.

The central government will survey about 300 Ainu, living outside Hokkaido, and their offspring aged 15 or older. Their ancestors are believed to have left Hokkaido during the 1800s or later. They were identified in a recent study.

The new survey will study their living conditions including education, employment and annual salaries, and will investigate whether they suffer discrimination.

The results will be complied by March and will serve as the basis for a new law to support the Ainu throughout the country.