Legal Sapporo District Court rejects Ainu fishing rights

Salmon fishing in rivers is illegal under the law on protecting fishery resources and Hokkaido's regulations on inland fishing. Ainu living inland can only fish salmon to practice cultural traditions and not for economic reasons. During the trial, the plaintiffs stated that they had inherited the rights to fish salmon from their ancestors, who had inhabited the area since the Edo Era beginning in the 17th century. Their livelihoods depended on salmon fishing until it was banned under an assimilation policy pursued by the government during the Meiji Era, from 1868 to 1912. Judge Takuro Nakano acknowledged that the Ainu people have been continuously fishing salmon in the area since the 17th century and are entitled to continue their own culture. However, he also said the plaintiffs' argument has "a strong aspect of property rights" and goes beyond the scope of preserving and passing on their tradition. He said that their claim is unacceptable even in light of historical circumstances, as well as treaties and international declarations on indigenous peoples' rights.

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Grandpa Frank said:

In Maine , after giving in to several demands , they then wanted exclusive rights to build and own gambling casinos.

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