About
The Ainu are one of the few major ethnic minorities in the Japanese islands, with a unique culture and distinct way of life. They were subject to forced assimilation and colonization after the arrival of the much larger Yamato population of Japan since at least the 18th century. Japanese assimilation policies in the 19th century around the Meiji Restoration forced Ainu people off their land and, in turn, forced them to give up traditional ways of life such as subsistence hunting and fishing. Ainu people were not allowed to practice their religion, and were pushed into Japanese-language schools where speaking the Ainu language was forbidden. In 1966, there were about 300 native Ainu speakers; in 2008, there were about 100.
― In-game description