The Tokyo Association of Ainu was formed by Shizue Ukaji, an Ainu artist who was born in Hokkaido but moved to Tokyo as an adult. Ukaji created the Tokyo Association of Ainu to advocate for the rights of Ainu people who lived outside of Hokkaido — whereas before the government excluded recognition for Ainu living away from Hokkaido, even though Ainu have long lived in other regions. Like the Hokkaido Utari Association (also called the Hokkaido Ainu Association), the Tokyo Association of Ainu used the term Utari meaning friend or comrade to avoid using the term Ainu and face discrimination.