The Ainu are an indigenous people who developed a culture adapted to the cold natural environment of the northern part of the Japanese archipelago, primarily in Hokkaido. Domination by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period and assimilation during the Meiji period led to discrimination against the Ainu and imposed hardships on them. In recent years, Japan's government has acknowledged this historｙ fact and been taking steps that show respect for the Ainu people. Here we introduce the evolving situation of the Ainu, who continue to honor their traditions and strive to create a new and distinct culture.