在當代政府體系中，各種委員會形式的決策機制所在多有。這種決策模式，也對當代民主課責產生了重大的影響。在各個先進國家裡，日本大概是使用這類委員制度會最多的國家之一。從中央到地方，該國存在了各類型的「諮問機關」。其中，愛努議題更是當中顯例。由於日本並未設置「原住民族代表性行政機關」（indigenous representative agency），因此該國的原住民族政策，都是透過懇話會、有識者懇談會、政策推進會議等「諮問機關」模式推動。由此可知，日本的模式相當特殊。對此，本研究擬以愛努政策為核心，透過理論與實證的交相辯證，來對日本諮問機關制度、原住民族政策進行探究，進而對之批判地檢討。由於日本制度發展多年，過程中也歷經多次改革，相信日本的經驗可以成為他國原住民族與委員會政策的重要參照點。

The Japanese government recognized the Ainu as ＂an indigenous people with a distinct language, religion and culture＂ in 2008. This official recognition was a turning point in Japan's indigenous policy. However, since there is no indigenous representative agency in Japan, its Ainu policies are decided through a series of advisory, or policy promotion councils. That is, although bureaucrats and politicians still play an important role in the decision-making process, most decisions are made through expert councils/panels. Given such a clear distinction, this article attempts to analyze Japan's indigenous policy through Ainu-related councils. It argues that expert-based councils under the Office of Cabinet Secretariat have shaped its current policy. Therefore, looking into Japan's advisory council system is the only way to reach a fuller understanding of its system. In so doing, this article further aims to clarify its limits and possibilities. Hopefully, Japan’s experience can be learned and used in other indigenous contexts.