Meiji University Returned Alaska Indigenous Remains
The Japanese institution finalized the repatriation of human remains collected from Alaska in the 1960s.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Native American
Meiji University returned Indigenous human remains to descendants in Alaska through two separate transfers in March 2023 and August 2026. This action marked the first time a Japanese university has voluntarily repatriated Indigenous remains discovered in its collections.
Why it matters
The university initiated the returns to address past mistakes and rectify a historical injustice regarding how remains were handled. The process began after researchers identified the materials in museum storage in 2021 while preparing for a symposium.
Researchers discovered the remains in museum storage in 2021, tracing them to expeditions in Point Hope and Nelson Island. The university performed a memorial rite in Japan following Indigenous religious practices prior to the returns.
The players
Meiji University
This is a private research university located in Tokyo that conducted the repatriation of human remains.
Hokkaido University
This is a major public research institution in Japan that was involved in the 1967 collection of remains from Nelson Island.
The details
A research team collected human bones from Point Hope in 1960 under cover of darkness, while a separate Hokkaido University researcher took remains and grave goods from Nelson Island in 1967. A professor at the university later contacted local Indigenous governments to coordinate the repatriation process.
Timeline
A university research team traveled to Alaska in 1960.
Human remains were collected from Nelson Island in 1967.
Meiji University discovered the remains in museum storage in 2021.
The first batch of remains was returned to Alaska in March 2023.
The final batch of remains was returned to Alaska in August 2026.
Roadmap
This repatriation reflects an growing global movement to address the ethics of historical research practices and museum holdings. It mirrors the standard set by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act by prioritizing the return of remains to their ancestral communities.
The return of these ancestors allows descendants to finally provide a proper burial and closure for the remains collected decades ago. This development establishes a practical precedent for other Indigenous groups seeking the return of cultural and human remains held in overseas collections.
The takeaway
The successful repatriation demonstrates the importance of institutional transparency in acknowledging colonial-era research ethics. Families and descendant groups should continue to audit historical records to locate and secure the return of ancestral remains.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing efforts regarding Native American cultural heritage and repatriation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 毎日新聞.
