Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/85037

JaLCDOI : 10.14943/jbr.12.91

On July 12, 2020, the National Ainu Museum and Park or “The Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony “Upopoy,” opened in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. Following the adoption of the resolution by the Japanese Parliament in 2008, calling for the Ainu people to be recognized as an indigenous people in Japan, the Advisory Panel on Ainu Policy positioned the establishment and promotion of Upopoy as the linchpin of Japan’s Ainu policy. Upopoy was to play the following roles: research and exhibition of Ainu history and culture (National Ainu Museum), revival and transmission of Ainu culture and human resource development (National Ainu Park or “National Ethnic Harmony Park”), and storage and memorialization of Ainu bones excavated and collected by universities in the past (Memorial Site). Before and after the opening of Upopoy, various people have evaluated the role of the museum and the contents of its exhibitions from various perspectives. However, it is probably not wellknown what kind of philosophy the Upopoy have in conducting research, exhibitions, and cultural transmission activities. Therefore, this special issue, entitled “Upopoy Studies or Studies in Upopoy,” aims to elaborate on the philosophy and logic of the exhibitions and activities inherent in Upopoy, which have not been widely reported by the Japanese media. We asked researchers of Upopoy (Shinichi Tateishi, Sakurako Koresawa and Mark Winchester) and an outside researcher, who has done researches on Upopoy after its opening from the perspective of indigineous people's rights (Yuko Osakada), to contribute to this special issue. To know the studies in Upopoy leads us to study the Upopoy itself. In addition, I decided to ask residents in Shiraoi with Ainu roots (Yoshinori Futamata, Naomi Tamura and Kenyu Yamamaru) to write a column, entitled “Upopoy for Shiraoi,” in which they would give their honest opinions about what they expect from Upopoy in the future.