Todai apologizes for ‘research collection’ of indigenous dead

The University of Tokyo has issued a formal apology for “collecting and storing” the remains of Ainu and other indigenous peoples from around the world for research purposes without the consent of these communities.

According to the university, known colloquially as Todai, its researchers have been collecting remains from burial sites in Hokkaido, Australia, Hawaii and other regions since the late 19th century.