Ainu party gives up fielding candidates

Ainu party gives up fielding candidates

SAPPORO, Japan - Shiro Kayano, leader of the Ainu Party of Japan, is pictured in Biratori, Hokkaido in northern Japan, on June 28, 2013. His party, launched in January 2012 to better represent Japan's indigenous Ainu people, has given up its plan to field 10 candidates in the July 21 House of Councillors election after failing to collect sufficient campaign funds.

Indigenous Ainu launch party

Indigenous Ainu launch party

SAPPORO, Japan - Shiro Kayano (L), leader of the Ainu Party of Japan, speaks during a meeting in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, on Jan. 21, 2012, as members of the Ainu indigenous group, who primarily reside in Hokkaido, launch the party, aiming to field 10 candidates in the House of Councillors election in 2013. To the right is vice leader Shizue Ukaji.

Indigenous Ainu launch party

Indigenous Ainu launch party

SAPPORO, Japan - Shiro Kayano (2nd from L), leader of the Ainu Party of Japan, speaks during a meeting in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, on Jan. 21, 2012, as members of the Ainu indigenous group, who primarily reside in Hokkaido, launch the party, aiming to field 10 candidates in the House of Councillors election in 2013.

Ainu trying to hand down culture for generations

Ainu trying to hand down culture for generations

Shiro Kayano gives an interview to Kyodo News on March 1, 2017, in Biratori on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, talking about how to hand down Ainu identity and culture for generations. His late father Shigeru was the first Ainu parliamentarian. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ainu trying to hand down culture for generations

Ainu trying to hand down culture for generations

Shiro Kayano gives an interview to Kyodo News on March 1, 2017, in Biratori on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, talking about how to hand down Ainu identity and culture for generations. Kayano now manages an Ainu museum founded by his late father Shigeru, the first Ainu parliamentarian. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Indigenous Ainu launch party

Indigenous Ainu launch party

SAPPORO, Japan - Shiro Kayano (2nd from L), leader of the Ainu Party of Japan, speaks during a meeting in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, on Jan. 21, 2012, as members of the Ainu indigenous group, who primarily reside in Hokkaido, launch the party, aiming to field 10 candidates in the House of Councillors election in 2013. (Kyodo)

Indigenous Ainu launch party

Indigenous Ainu launch party

SAPPORO, Japan - Shiro Kayano (L), leader of the Ainu Party of Japan, speaks during a meeting in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, on Jan. 21, 2012, as members of the Ainu indigenous group, who primarily reside in Hokkaido, launch the party, aiming to field 10 candidates in the House of Councillors election in 2013. To the right is vice leader Shizue Ukaji. (Kyodo)