Ainu Association of Hokkaido
The Ainu Association of Hokkaido is an umbrella group of which most Hokkaidō Ainu and some other Ainu are members. Originally controlled by the government with the intention of speeding Ainu assimilation and integration into the Japanese nation state, it now operates independently of the government and is run exclusively by Ainu. The group has been influential in raising public awareness of Ainu issues.
History
In August of 1945, Japan experienced a significant military loss which led to Japan losing a good portion of their colonies but still kept Hokkaido as one of its territories. The Ainu believed that this new circumstance could potentially free them from suppression. This led to the establishment of the Hokkaido Ainu Association which continues to be the most prominent Ainu organisation.The central goals of the association, in general, was to improve welfare, agricultural and fishing methods as well as education. This consisted of goals intending to restore control of certain pieces of land such as in Ashahikawa which had been promised to the Ainu or land that had been given to them under the post-war Agricultural Land Act.
After the military defeat experienced by Japan, their positioning on racial and ethnic diversity changed to advocate for a culturally homogenous state. This meant that any ethnic or cultural differences were viewed negatively leading to Japan to exert pressure on the Ainu to adopt and assimilate into mainstream Japanese customs. It was originally established in 1930 under the name Hokkaido Ainu Association. Since 1961 utari has been used instead of "Ainu". This was because many members believed "Ainu" was term that was received negatively. The organization's name was changed back to Hokkaido Ainu Association in early 2009. From 1964 to 1996, its executive director was Giichi Nomura.