19
Genetic Diversity of Human
Populations in Eastern Asia
KEncHi OMOTO
International Research Center for Japanese Studies, 3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku,
Kyoto 610-1192, Japan
Abstract
This chapter summarizes the results of my population genetic studies concerning
various ethnic groups in eastern Asia and western Pacific with special reference to
the origins of (1) the Japanese peoples, and (2) the so-called Mongoloid groups. On
the first topic, I will show that Kazuro Hanihara's "dual structure model" is only
partly supported by genetic evidence. As for the second, I will argue that the genetic
diversity among eastern Asian, Pacific and American populations is so extensive
that the classic racial concept of "Mongoloid" is no longer tenable. It is also indicated that contrary to the classic view of a single south-east Asian origin of these
populations, there were at least two independent sources for human migrations in
eastern Asia during the Upper Paleolithic Times from about 50000 to 20000 years
BP.
1 Introduction
Since 1966, I have carried out a series of human population genetic studies in
eastern Asia. My main objectives were twofold. On the one hand, I have tried to
elucidate the genetic origins· of some indigenous peoples such as the Ainu of
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, and the Negritos of the Philippines,
whose origins have been controversial among anthropologists. On the other hand,
I have wished to understand the micro-evolutionary history of modern humans in
Key words. population genetics, molecular anthropology, blood groups, protein polymorphism, classic genetic marker, ethnic group, East Asia, Japanese, Ainu, Negrito, Mongoloids, genetic distance, dendrogram, Oceania, Sundaland
289
Genetic Diversity of Human
Populations in Eastern Asia
KEncHi OMOTO
International Research Center for Japanese Studies, 3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku,
Kyoto 610-1192, Japan
Abstract
This chapter summarizes the results of my population genetic studies concerning
various ethnic groups in eastern Asia and western Pacific with special reference to
the origins of (1) the Japanese peoples, and (2) the so-called Mongoloid groups. On
the first topic, I will show that Kazuro Hanihara's "dual structure model" is only
partly supported by genetic evidence. As for the second, I will argue that the genetic
diversity among eastern Asian, Pacific and American populations is so extensive
that the classic racial concept of "Mongoloid" is no longer tenable. It is also indicated that contrary to the classic view of a single south-east Asian origin of these
populations, there were at least two independent sources for human migrations in
eastern Asia during the Upper Paleolithic Times from about 50000 to 20000 years
BP.
1 Introduction
Since 1966, I have carried out a series of human population genetic studies in
eastern Asia. My main objectives were twofold. On the one hand, I have tried to
elucidate the genetic origins· of some indigenous peoples such as the Ainu of
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, and the Negritos of the Philippines,
whose origins have been controversial among anthropologists. On the other hand,
I have wished to understand the micro-evolutionary history of modern humans in
Key words. population genetics, molecular anthropology, blood groups, protein polymorphism, classic genetic marker, ethnic group, East Asia, Japanese, Ainu, Negrito, Mongoloids, genetic distance, dendrogram, Oceania, Sundaland
289