Irankarapte

Hokkaido is where the Ainu people retain their native culture. The Ainu word "irankarapte" is close to the Japanese word "konichiwa", or "hello" in English.
This really signifies a strong greeting.
Remarkably, it was only as recently as 2008 when the Japanese Diet unanimously adopted a resolution to recognise the Ainu people as an indigenous culture in Japan!
Even more recently, in 2013, a campaign was started to promote Ainu culture in Hokkaido - taking Irankarapte as its motto.
This statue stands in the entrance to Sapporo central station, and is called "Dancing with bow". It depicts an Ainu Chieftain performing a prayer dance. The man is surrounded by six principal libation sticks which signify prayers to the gods . Six is a special number in Ainu culture - because it signifies "plentiful".
Irankarapte embodies a spirit of peaceful co-existence, something I am sure we would all support.