On the east side of Lake Poroto on Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, work is moving apace on a national centre for revitalising the culture of the Ainu, now officially recognised as indigenous people by the government in Tokyo.
When it opens just before next year's Olympics, the Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony, also known as Upopoi - or "singing with the crowd" in Ainu language - will encompass a national museum of the Ainu, a memorial facility looking out on the Pacific Ocean, and a national park.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Read the full story and more at $9.90/month
Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month
ST One Digital
$9.90/month
No contract
ST app access on 1 mobile device
Unlock these benefits
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you