A handover ceremony was held at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo to mark the first return from Japan.

The repatriation delegation with Japanese institution representatives and the Australian Ambassador. Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy, Tokyo.
The repatriation delegation with Japanese institution representatives and the Australian Ambassador. Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy, Tokyo.

The Australian Government has welcomed the return of 10 First Nations ancestors from 3 Japanese collecting institutions. This is the first ever return of ancestors from Japan through our Indigenous Repatriation Program.

The ancestors were returned from the: 

  • University of Tokyo (7 ancestors)
  • University of Kyoto (2 ancestors)
  • National Museum of Nature and Science Tokyo (1 ancestor).

A special ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday 11 June acknowledged the significance of returning the ancestors to their Traditional Custodians, with community representatives taking the opportunity to speak. 

Bolo Angus, Bardi and Jawi Representative from the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia said:

‘Repatriation is a vital step toward healing the deep wounds caused by the forced removal of our ancestors from their resting places. For our community, it is not just about bringing bones home—it is about restoring dignity, honouring our old people, and reconnecting spirit to Country. This healing is not only for us, the living, but for the spirit of the ancestors who have waited so long to come home.

True reconciliation cannot happen without truth, justice, and respect. Returning our ancestors is an act of acknowledging past wrongs and showing respect for First Nations cultures and spiritual beliefs.’

Yawuru (Broome) and Kaurna (Adelaide) community representatives also attended the ceremony alongside Australian and Japanese Government representatives and staff from the Japanese collecting institutions. 

These returns mean the Australian Government has now repatriated more than 1,785 ancestors from overseas collections in partnership with First Nations people and foreign governments. 

Find out more