II. Information on Individual Articles of The Covenant

Article 27

Policies Relating to the Ainu People

(a) Hokkaido Utari^* Measures

The living standard of the Ainu^* People has improved steadily, but the gap between the living standard of the Ainu and that of the general public of Hokkaido and that of the Ainu has not narrowed according to the " Survey on the Hokkaido Utari Living Conditions" conducted by the Prefectual Government of Hokkaido in 1993. The Prefectual Government of Hokkaido therefore endeavors to improve further the living standards of the Ainu People and to eliminate the difference in living standards between the Ainu and the general by promoting the " Fourth Hokkaido Utari Welfare Measures (1995-2001)" as a continuation of the " Third Hokkaido Utari Welfare Measures" , which were described in the Third Periodic Report.

The Government of Japan, as was described in the Third Periodic Report, continues to offer its cooperation in the above measures, which are being promoted by the Prefectual Government of Hokkaido, and it is working to complete the related budgets so that these measures may come into effect smoothly.

(b) The Round Table on the Policy for the Ainu People

Following a request by the Chief Cabinet Secretary, " The Round Table on the Policy for the Ainu People" started considering policy for the Ainu People in March 1995. A report was submitted to the Chief Cabinet Secretary in April 1996. This report concludes that it is desirable for the Government of Japan to take appropriate measures, including legislation, in order to preserve and promote the Ainu language, tradition and culture, and abolish the former " Hokkaido Natives Reservation Dispensation Law" and other laws.

The report is based on the characteristics and circumstances of the Ainu People, who have lived in Hokkaido, Japan's inherent territory, since the end of the Middle Ages even before the Wajin^* people's arrival. The Government of Japan then expressed its commitment to take appropriate measures, respecting this report and studying details of its content.

^* " Ainu" means " Human being" in the Ainu language.

^*" Utari" means " Compatriot" in the Ainu language.

^*" Wajin" means all other Japanese, except the Ainu themselves.