2023 Volume 33 Issue 1 Pages 61-68
The Ainu Association of Hokkaido and academic anthropology and archaeology societies are developing “Ethical Guidelines for Research on Ainu People,” (translated by thr authors) which position free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) as their basis. This is the first document that Japanese research ethics regulations introduce FPIC. Based on a literature review, this article examines the expectations and unsolved problems of introducing FPIC in Japanese research ethics. As FPIC was originally advocated to protect lands and resources from exploitation, the challenges of adapting FPIC to research ethics are assessed.
The Ainu are the only officially acknowledged Indigenous people in Japan. However, after a long history of assimilation, the Ainu do not have representative organizations or an identity certification system. Past excavations of Ainu human remains for the purpose of academic research have been an important topic. The draft guidelines are expected not only to clarify how to handle such human remains but also to cover research about living Ainu people.
Against the background of criticism of global genomic projects such as the Human Genome Diversity Project, community engagement is increasingly valued. Therefore, it is appropriate to focus on FPIC, which was advocated to ensure opportunities for Indigenous peoples to be consulted regarding the relevant research project. Canada and Taiwan have governmental structures to ensure such opportunities with guidelines or laws, but some adjustments to their research contexts can be seen. Japanese draft guidelines could also increase opportunities for Ainu people to engage in research projects by introducing FPIC. However, as the draft guidelines are overseen by a limited number of societies, their effectiveness and scope are somewhat limited. To enhance their efficiency, a wider variety of related academic societies should be involved in discussions. Moreover, as Ainu people have no representative organizations, the problem of how to ensure meaningful consultation is vital. Further evaluation of practices and international comparisons will be required.
