Japan's government has begun a new process aimed at making amends for the mistreatment of its islands' indigenous people - the Ainu.<br /><br />Land was annexed by Japan from the Ainu people in the 19th century, which then imposed laws banning their language, hunting and religious practices.<br /><br />The Ainu were only recognized as Japans indigenous people in 2008 - after a long history of discrimination and cultural suppression.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett reports from Hokkaido, where most Ainu live, on the struggle to save their way of life.<br /><br />[February 4, 2010]
