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Growing interest in Sámi culture sparks Japanese education initiative at Tokyo University

Saturday 5th 2024 on 16:34 in  
Finland

Finland is well-known in Japan for its Santa Claus and Moomins, but there is also growing interest in the indigenous Sámi people. Ako Yamakawa, a Japanese educator, teaches Sámi at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS). Since the autumn of 2021, remote courses in North Sámi have been available, and Yamakawa’s first class quickly filled up with 21 students, showing a strong demand for Sámi language education.

With decades of experience teaching Finnish, Yamakawa embraced the challenge of teaching North Sámi, a language he had set aside for years. His passion for Nordic cultures stems from childhood, particularly an affinity for nature, which compelled him to learn Sámi. He pursued this goal by traveling to Finland and then to Norway to study and immerse himself in Sámi culture.

During his initial months in Norway, he struggled with the long polar nights but eventually began to understand conversations around him. Locals were often surprised by his proficiency in Sámi, though he had yet to learn Norwegian. His time there included unique cultural experiences, such as participating in reindeer herding, enhancing his appreciation for indigenous traditions.

Students of Yamakawa, like Koji Osaki from Hokkaido, express a desire to learn more about Sámi culture, as knowledge in Japan remains limited and often superficial. Osaki hopes to visit Sámi territory in the future, while Michie Kawaoka, another student, is fascinated by Sámi art and music. Her enthusiasm is evident as she wears a T-shirt featuring Sámi artist Mari Boine, indicating a profound respect for Sámi culture and its artistic expressions.

Source 
(via yle.fi)