[Office of University Social Responsibility]

On November 16, Teruki Tsunemoto, Chairperson of the Foundation for Ainu Culture in Japan, delivered a keynote speech titled “UPOPOY and the Collaboration between Universities and the Ainu Community” at the “Flowing Rivers, Tracing Origins: NCCU USR International Conference on Sustainable Development.” Tsunemoto is a renowned constitutional law scholar in Japan and was a long-time professor in the Faculty of Law at Hokkaido University. After retiring three years ago, he joined the faculty at Sapporo University and was appointed the first Chairperson of the Foundation for Ainu Culture.

Tsunemoto's research focuses on indigenous rights in constitutional law. When Hokkaido University established the Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies in 2007, he served as its first director. On October 18, 2007, NCCU’s Center for Indigenous Studies signed an international academic exchange agreement with Hokkaido University’s center, supported by Taiwan’s Top University Program. Since March 23, 2014, NCCU’s Wulai LOKOU team has engaged in dialogues on social practice and academic research with members of the Ainu and Indigenous Studies Center. The Atayal people of Wulai and the Ainu of Hokkaido have formed village alliances and long-standing friendships. The two universities and their indigenous communities have maintained close ties. In June 2014, based on existing sister school relations in literature, law, and social sciences, former NCCU President SE-HWA WU led a delegation to Hokkaido University to sign a sister university agreement. The collaboration continues today, with Tsunemoto’s team being a strong ally of NCCU’s Wulai LOKOU project.

At the start of his speech, Tsunemoto greeted the audience in the Ainu language with “Irankarapte!” In line with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese government sought to showcase not only Tokyo but also the culture of the Ainu people to the world. Since 2020, “Irankarapute!” has been adopted by the government as an official greeting meaning “Welcome” or “Hello.”

He first thanked the moderator, Vice Chairperson of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Hsing-Hua Chung, and NCCU's Director of International Cooperation Ching-Ping Tang, both long-time acquaintances he was finally able to meet in person post-pandemic. This was his first public introduction in Taiwan about UPOPOY’s operations following its opening. UPOPOY, established by the Japanese government and operated by the Foundation for Ainu Culture, is officially titled the “Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony.” This facility is comparable to Taiwan’s Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park.

“UPOPOY” means “singing together” in the Ainu language. It was founded on four key principles: multi-faceted inheritance of Ainu culture, spiritual support for the Ainu people, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence for all Japanese citizens, and promoting Ainu culture and worldview both domestically and internationally.

The UPOPOY complex includes memorial facilities, an Ainu museum, a learning center, a performance hall, and a traditional kotan (village). Tsunemoto explained that the facility’s layout was inspired by the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park in Pingtung. Close exchanges with Taiwan’s Indigenous Peoples Council and NCCU representatives, including Tang Ching-Ping, played a key role in its development—something Tsunemoto expressed deep gratitude for.

The memorial site on a small hill within UPOPOY is one of its core facilities. In addition to traditional Ainu rituals, it also houses the remains of Ainu ancestors. With the global rise of indigenous ancestral repatriation movements, UPOPOY has paid great attention to the proper treatment of Ainu remains, respectfully receiving those that cannot be returned due to the absence of descendants. These are enshrined and cared for in accordance with Ainu traditions. The museum exhibits artifacts from the Ainu perspective and portrays “Ainu people living today.” It stresses that Ainu culture is a vital part of Japan’s national culture. Exhibits use Ainu as the primary language, accompanied by explanations in Japanese, English, Korean, Russian, Thai, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. For modern terms not found in traditional Ainu, such as “fire extinguisher,” the museum works with Ainu language scholars to create new vocabulary.

The second part of the presentation focused on UPOPOY’s relationship with the Ainu people. Among the 19 core members of the Foundation’s executive team, 9 are Ainu. Of the general director and two deputy directors, one is Ainu. UPOPOY frequently invites the Ainu Culture Preservation Association—composed of Ainu artists preserving traditional performing arts—for live performances. Young full-time UPOPOY staff also learn traditional music and dance from the association and perform regularly in the park.

Finally, Tsunemoto introduced UPOPOY’s links with academia. It has long-standing cooperation with the Ainu Research Department at Hokkaido University and a close partnership with private Sapporo University. UPOPOY accepts interns from Sapporo University and sends lecturers to teach there. Sapporo University actively supports Ainu students’ education and offers full scholarships specifically for Ainu youth.

Summarizing his introduction to UPOPOY, Tsunemoto reiterated that the cultural revival and development of the Ainu in Japan is rapidly advancing and deeply connected to the indigenous communities of Taiwan. He expressed hope for continued mutual exchange and learning between Japan and Taiwan for sustainable development. He concluded by warmly inviting friends from Taiwan to visit Hokkaido and experience the rich and fascinating culture of the Ainu people.