先住民族言語国際年記念国連総会ハイレベル会合における星野俊也大使ステートメント
令和元年12月17日
(As delivered)
Thank you Madame Chair, and Irankarapte, that’s “hello” in indigenous Ainu language.
I would like to join our other colleagues in celebrating the “2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages,” and I also wish to take this opportunity to express our renewed commitment to the preservation and revitalization of indigenous languages, as indigenous languages are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Madame President,
Japan has been leading the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to build a society in which no one will be left behind by 2030, together with indigenous peoples. Japan’s indigenous language, the Ainu language, remarkably demonstrates the Ainu people’s unique and rich culture and indeed makes a difference in realizing a diverse and dynamic society, which is a mainstay for sustainable development. Therefore, Japan has made efforts to promote and revitalize the Ainu culture and language.
Madame President,
Japan is of the view that enhancing the prestige of the Ainu language and increasing opportunities to use the Ainu language at home are key to handing down the Ainu language and culture to future generations. Aligned with the goal of the Year, in April, Japan enacted legislation on a comprehensive package of measures to promote and revitalize the Ainu culture and language. Japan has also made efforts to expand learning resources available for the Ainu language, including through digitally archiving audio data of the language. Japan continues to implement measures for support, access and promotion of the Ainu language including educational and awareness-raising programs.
Madame President,
Japan is now constructing the “Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony” in Hokkaido, comprising of a national Ainu museum and park as a center for the promotion of the Ainu culture and language. The Symbolic Space is called “UPOPOY”, meaning “singing in a large group” in the Ainu language, which will be opened to the public on April 24th, 2020, prior to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. I wish to invite the distinguished delegates to visit this “UPOPOY” and to see and experience the richness and beauty of indigenous people’s culture and language of Japan.
Madame President,
Japan is determined to make every effort to achieve the SDGs and to create a society where the inclusion and diversity of all people including indigenous peoples are ensured. We would like to do so by working closely with the Ainu people and civil society, as well as in close collaboration with the international community, including the United Nations and other Member States.
I thank you and Iyayraykere.