#Japan #Tokyo #Archaeology #Northern Territories #Hikaru Ushi

Lecture on the Hidden Northern Territories

On November 8, 2025, a captivating lecture titled "Exploring the Hidden Northern Territories — Uncovering History and Culture from Prehistoric Times" will be held at the Gateway Hall of the Territorial Sovereignty Exhibition Hall. This event will feature Hikaru Ushi, a visiting researcher from the National Museum of Ethnology, who will share his extensive research findings on the prehistoric sites and cultural heritage of the Northern Territories of Japan.

Purpose of the Lecture

Since 2005, collaborative archaeological and historical research involving experts from Japan and Russia has uncovered numerous prehistoric sites on the Northern Territories, revealing their significant historical relationship with Hokkaido. These sites demonstrate that the cultural sequence from the Paleolithic to Ainu culture flourished across these islands, indicating their integral connection to the cultural landscape of Hokkaido.

Furthermore, recent attention has focused on the terrestrial landing facility of the submarine telecommunication cable that linked Hokkaido to the Northern Territories. This facility played a crucial role in communication between the regions, especially during the tense period immediately after the Soviet occupation of the islands following World War II. Ushi's presentation will shine a light on these lesser-known aspects of the Northern Territories.

Highlights of the Lecture

While the history of the Northern Territories often emphasizes events from the late Edo period onward, human activities on these islands date back to times before written records. Ushi has leveraged archaeological methods to investigate these sites, identifying a total of 132 locations across the islands, which include 94 sites on Kunashir, 22 on Shikotan, 15 on Etorofu, and 1 on Habomai.

Moreover, Ushi has supported preservation efforts for the underappreciated landing facility in Nemuro, which served as one of the very few communication avenues between local municipalities and Hokkaido during a critical period in history. In October 2021, this submarine telecommunication cable landing facility was recognized as a registered tangible cultural property of Japan.

Speaker Information

Hikaru Ushi was born in 1959 in Hokkaido and graduated from the Department of History at Komazawa University in 1982. He obtained his PhD in History in 2011 from the same university. Ushi has worked at various museums in Hokkaido, including the Kitami City Local Museum in 1982, the Hokkaido Pioneer Village in 1983, and the Hokkaido Museum (formerly the Hokkaido Pioneer Memorial Museum, renamed in 2015). His expertise encompasses archaeology, history, Quaternary studies, and interactions with ethnology and folklore.

Participation Details

The lecture is free; however, pre-registration is required. To secure your spot, please email the following details to [email protected]:
1. Lecture Name
2. Date of Event
3. Names of All Participants
4. Contact Number of the Representative

Spaces are limited to 80 attendees, and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early!

Event Details

• - Date and Time: November 8, 2025, from 14:00 to 15:30 (Doors open at 13:30)
• - Location: Gateway Hall, Territorial Sovereignty Exhibition Hall
• - Capacity: 80 people (free admission by prior application)
• - Contact: Territorial Sovereignty Exhibition Hall, Phone: 03-6257-3715

Venue Information

• - Name: Territorial Sovereignty Exhibition Hall
• - Address: 3-8-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0013, Toranomon Dai Building East 1st Floor
• - Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• - Closed on: Mondays (or the next weekday if a holiday), December 29 - January 3 (temporary closure the first Sunday of March)
• - Admission Fee: Free