Indigenizing Japan: Ainu Past, Present, and Future

In Indigenizing Japan, archaeologist Joe E. Watkins provides a comprehensive look at the rich history and cultural resilience of the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Hokkaido, Japan, tracing their journey from ancient times to their contemporary struggles for recognition. The author combines archaeological, historical, and genetic research to illuminate the intertwined roots the Ainu share with the majority Japanese despite the history and impacts of Japanese government policies of colonization and assimilation on the Ainu.