What is ainous?

The Ainu are an indigenous people who historically lived on the northernmost Japanese islands of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. They have distinct physical features, customs, and language that are different from the Japanese people. The Ainu way of life was traditionally based on hunting, fishing, and gathering, and they developed a close relationship with nature. Unfortunately, the Ainu population has faced severe discrimination and loss of their land due to colonization and assimilation policies enforced by the Japanese government. In recent years, there have been efforts to recognize the rights and culture of the Ainu people, including the passing of the Ainu Culture Promotion Act in 2019. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure the survival of the Ainu culture and way of life.