Advan ces in Anthropology
2011. Vol.1, No.2, 19-25
Copyright © 2011 SciRes. DOI:10.4236/aa.2011.12004
Mapping Human Genetic Diversity on the Japanese Archipelago
Qi-Liang Ding1, Chuan-Chao Wang1, Sara E. Farina2, H ui Li1,2
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan Universi ty, Shanghai, Chi na;
2Shanghai Society of Anthropology, Shanghai, China.
Received August 30th, 2011; revised October 13th, 2011; acce pte d Octobe r 27th, 2011.
The Japanese people are one of the most important populations for studying the origin and diversification of East
Asian populations. As an island population, the Japanese’s path of migration is a long-standing controversy.
Archeo logical evi dence suggests that there were at lea st two waves of mig ration t o the Japanese arc hipelago in
prehistory: the Paleolithic and Neolithic Jomonese as well as the Aeneolithic Yayoiese. However, the contri-
butions of these Jomonese and Yayoiese to the contemporary Japanese population remain unclear. In this article,
we provide evidence from human genetics as a new approach to addressing this topic. At the beginning, we
intr oduce the his tory of human mi gration to the Ja panese arch ipelago, as well as m aterials and m ethods human
geneticists use. Subsequently, we tested three distinct population expansion models using evidences from recent
human genetic studies on the Japanese, East Asian, and Serbian populations. Finally, we conclude that the
contemporary main island Japanese are the result of population admixture of Jomonese, Yayoiese, and Han
Chi nese, which co nsists with the Admixture m odel.
Keywords: Japanese Archipelago, Population Genetic Structure, Jomones e, Yayoiese, Admixture M odel
Introduction
There are at least two waves of migrations to the Japanese
archipelago in the prehistory. The first wave of migration, re-
presented by the Minatogawa Man in Okinawa (Hisao et al.,
1998), began at 50,000 years BP and reached the climax at
about 10,000 years BP, giving rise to the Jomon culture. More
recently, a second wave of migration traveled to the Japanese
Archipelago at 2300 years BP, giving rise to the Yayoi culture.
Based on fossil records and human remains, the Yayoiese soon
dominat ed th e Jap anese archip elago an d completed th eir exp an-
sion at about 300 AD (Chard, 1974). By that time, evidence of
agriculture could be found at almost all human settlements on
the Japan ese arch ip elago except t he n o rthern most areas of Hok-
kaido and the southernmost areas of Okinawa. This consists
with the dominance of the Yayoiese at that period. However,
the evidence from cranial morphology does not support a com-
plete replacement of the Jomonese by the Yayoiese (Hanihara,
1984). Therefore, several different theories about the popu-
lation origin and diversification of the Japanese have been pro-
posed since the 19th century (Mizoguchi, 1986).
Human genetics and molecular anthropology advanced rapid-
ly after the in vent io n of the p ol ymerase chain reactio n (P CR) in
the 1980s. In spite of the long dispute on the origin of anato-
mically modern human, Homo sapiens sapiens, evidence from
mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome analysis has finally
confirmed an African origin of all modern humans (Vigilant et
al., 1991; Bowcock et al., 1994), augmented with moderate
gene flow from Neanderthals and possibly Denisovan archaic
humans among non-African groups. Since then, Y chromosome
and mitochondrial DNA analyses have become powerful tools
in human evolutionary studies. The most influential example is
the identification of the African origins of the East Asian popu-
lation, despite the large number of hominoid fossils that have
been found in East Asia (Ke et al., 2001). Most recently, auto-
somal DNA analyses were developed to test more complex
population expansion models. Here, we use these methodolo-
gies to conclude on the origin of contemporary Japanese from
both paternal and maternal lineages.
Y Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA:
Powerful Tools for Studying Human Evolution
Compared to histori cal, archeo logical, or osteologi cal stud ies,
molecular anthropological evidence is in some senses more
reliable since the genetic material used by molecular anthropo-
logy is continuous and maintains its integrity as it is passed
from generation to generation. Historical, archeological, and
osteological studies are based on material culture and fossilized
human remains, which can be discontinuous, strongly modified
by the environment, and frequently hard to identify.
Among all the materials available for molecular anthropolo-
gical stud y, the Y chro mosome an d mtDNA are most powerful
because o f their abundance and ease of extraction. Their advan-
tages are particularly pronounced in include lack of recom-
bination, small effective population size and population-specific
haploty pe dis tr ibution (Z ha ng e t a l., 2007) .
The Y Non-Reco mbining Region, Y-Snps, Y-St rs, and
the Paternal Transmission
Different from autosomes and X chromosome, the non-re-
combining region of Y chromosome (NRYs) could be passed
from generation to generation without recombination (Wang et
al., 2010). The effective population sizes (Ne) are also much
smaller than autosomes since only male carry Y chromosome.
There fore, the effects o f genetic d rifts on Y ch romosome geneti c
structure will be more significant than autosomal genetic struc-
ture.
The Y chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms (Y-
SNPs) are highly informative and therefore could be used in
population classification. For example, in a single study, Under-
hill et al. (1997) identified more than 160 bi-allelic polymerphi-
sms on NRY using HPLC. Moreover, by sequencing the whole Y
chromosome, more than 15,000 Y-SNPs have been identified
recentl y (unpubl ished resul ts) using next gen eration sequen cing

Q.-L. DING ET AL.
20
technologies.
The base substitution rate of Y chromosome is relatively low,
which suggests it may be unable to reflect the most recent
population expansion events. However, Y chromosome short
tandem repeats (Y-STRs) could be used as a highly mutable
tool alternatively, to construct detailed evolutionary network
and estimate the divergen ce time of Y-SNPs.
To conclude, by combining Y-SNPs and Y-STRs informa-
tion, the NRY could be used to reveal the population migration
and expansion history of modern human.
The Mitochondrial DNA (Mtdna) and the Maternal
Transmission
Human mtDNA is 16,659 base pairs in length and consist
predominantly of coding DNA, with a 1100 bp-long non-cod-
ing control region (Anderson et al., 1981; Pakendorf et al.,
2005). The control regions are highly mutative, named high
variation region or HVR. However, the unprecedented high
mutation rate in the HVR and potential possibility of recom-
bination may lead to recurrent mutation and could cause bias
(Arctander, 1999; Yao et al., 2000).
During the fertilization process, the tail section of sperm,
which carries mitochondria is not permitted to enter the egg,
which means the paternal mtDNA are impossible to transfer to
the next generation. It is now widely accepted that mtDNA is
maternally inherited and the population genetic characteristics
of mtDNA are similar to the NRY.
Major Waves of Migration to the Japanese
Archipe la go th roughou t Hi s tory
Paleolithic and Neolithic Jomon Period Migrations
The first wave of migration to the Japanese archipelago
started around 50,000 years BP. However, the human fossil
remains in Japan are rare. The 18,000 years old Minatogawa
Man found in Okinawa is considered as the oldest hominid
remain in the Japanese archipelago (Matsu’ura et al., 2010).
Morphological findings on the Minatogawa I male skull suggests
it is closer to the Liujiang Man from Guangxi, China than to the
Upper Cave Man of northern China (Suzuki, 1982). This finding
suggests that the Jomonese might be the direct descendants of
Minatogawa Ma n (H isa o e t a l., 1989) .
The Jomon culture lasted from the final stage of the last ice
age to around 2300 years ago and was distributed widely on the
Japanese archipelago at its climax, from the southernmost
Okinawa to the northernmost Hokkaido. The Japanese archipe-
lago is not separated from mainland Asia until early period,
therefore, left the puzzle of the migration route of Jomonese
remains to be s olv e d (Palm e r, 2007).
Based on craniology research, the Jomonese are different
from contemporary Chinese populations as well as the Neoli-
thic Chinese. Correspondingly, a research (Hanihara, 1984) based
on Q-mode correlation matrix from nine cranial measurements in
21 populations (Figure 1) reveals that the Polynesians and
Micronesians are the closest population to the Jomonese among
ancient Chinese, contempor ary Chin ese, Korean, contemporary
Japanese, Ainu, Ryukyuans, North Asian, Yayoiese, Polyne-
sians and Micronesians, except the Ainu and Ryukyuans, which
have been proven to be the directly descendent of Jomonese.
Aeneolithic Yayoi Period Migrations
The Yayoiese were the second wave of migration to the Ja-
panese archipelago, entering from the Korean Peninsula around
Figur e 1.
Dendrogram showing affinities of population groups based on Q Mode
correlation matrix from nine cranial measurements within 21 popu-
lations (Modif ied from Hani hara, 1984).
2300 years BP and finishing its expansion at 3rd century AD.
The Yayoiese b ro ugh t wet rice agri cul ture, weaving, an d metal-
working to the Japanese archipelago (Chard, 1974). In contrast
to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle Jomonese, the introduction of
tools and crops apparently increase the productivity.
In addition to the increasing of productivity, the political
system and style of human settlements changed significantly in
Yayoi Period, which plays an important role in the later nation
processes. Before the arrival of Yayoiese, the Jomonese lived in
relatively small communities, estimated about 24 individuals
per human settlement. Correspondingly, the population sizes of
each human settlemen t of Yayoi communities were larger, at 5 7
individuals, more than twice that of the Jomon Period (Suzuki,
1982; Koyama, 1978).
The origin of Yayoiese and the driven force of their migra-
tion also remain controversial. Archeological evidences and
human remains suggest that the migration started at the end
stage of Jomon Period, at 3rd century BC, followed by a rapid
population expansion in the next 600 years. The time of
migration was consistent with cooling climate and widespread
civil disturbance in central and northern China and Korea.
Therefore, this wave of migration to Japanese archipelago
might be stimulated by war and chaos in neighboring countries,
as well as the climate change. Furthermore, the discovery of
northeast Asian style metal tools in Yayoiese settlements may
indi cat es a Northeast origin of Yayoiese.
Correspondingly, the cranial morphological studies also
demonstrate a close relationship of Yayoiese to Mongolians,
Siberians, and northeastern Chinese. Notably, all these popula-
tions are adapted to extremely cold climates. Thi s evidence su g-
gests that the Yayoiese may enter Japan from Sakhalin to the
northernmost Hokkaido instead of from the Korean Peninsula.
After the Yayoi Period, during the Kofun Period ranging
from 3rd century AD to 6th century AD, there was increased
number of mainland Asian migrants due to a set of policies
from the Imperial Court, which encouraged the importation of
more advanced culture and techniques from China and Korea.
The Chinese written characters were introduced into Japan in
the 5th cen tu ry AD, as an import ant evid en ce of the imple ment-
tation of these Imperial Court policies (Hanihara, 1991).

Q.-L. DING ET AL. 21
Three Competing Theories on the Origin of
Contemporary Japanese
Similar to the debates of human origin in other regions, the
competing hypotheses on the origin of contemporary Japanese
could b e classified i nto th ree models: Rep lacement, Admixture,
or Transformation. These models involve different genetic contri-
butions of Jomonese and Yayoiese to the modern Japanese popu-
lation (Figur e 2) .
Replacement Model
The main argument of the Replacement model is that since the
Yayoiese dominated the Japanese archipelago after 3rd century
AD, the Jo monese gen etic linea ges were co mplet ely replaced b y
those of the Yayoiese (How e lls, 1966; Tune r , 197 6) .
Transformation Model
In contrast with the Replacement model, the Transformation
model claims that the incoming Yayoiese did not affect the
gene pool of the Jomonese, which implies that the contempo-
rary Japanese ar e the direct deced ents of the Jomonese with no
Yayoiese contamination (Suzuki, 1981; Mizoguchi, 1986).
Admixture Model
The Admixture model was raised as a compromise of the
Replacement and Transformation model. Based on both arch-
eological and anthropological evidence, the Admixture model
suggests that modern Japanese are an admixture population of
Jomonese, Yayoiese and more recent migrants, which reflects
the admixture of cont empo rary variat ions (Han ihara, 1991).
All the three models have been supported by evidences from
genetics and archeology, whereas more recent evidences are in
favor of the Admixture model, e.g., Cavalli-Sforza et al. (1994)
for the Replacement model, Nei (1995) for the Transformation
model, and Hammer et al. (1995), Horai et al. (1996), Omoto et
al. (1997), Sokal et al. (1998), Tajima et al. (2002) for the
Admixture model.
Evidences from Y Chromosome Analyses
Hammer et al. (2006) compared the Y chromosome haplo-
group frequencies of Japanese to those of Northeastern Asian,
Southeastern Asian, Central Asian, South Asian, and Oceanian
population (Table 1). These populations comprise Y chromo-
some Haplogroups C, D, NO, N, O, etc. Haplogroup C, D, N,
and O account for 98.9% of contemporary Japanese.
Figur e 2.
Three competing hypotheses on the origin of contemporary Japanese.
The rounded rectangles are gene pool and the arrows are gene flow.
Table 1.
Frequencies of the Y chromosome haplogroups in Japanese and the
ref erence pop ulations (%).
Haplotypea Japanese NEAb SEAb CASb SASbOCEb
C2a1-P33 17.2
C2*-M38 2.2 8.1
C*-RPS4Y 3.1 0.2 2.6 8.6
C3*-M217 1.9 21.3 2.7 17.4
C3c-M86 1.2 23.6 7.9
C1-M8c 5.4
D1-M15 2.6 4.3
D*-M174 2.1
D3a-P47 9.1
D2*-P37.1c 3.9 0.2
D2a*-M116.1 c16.6 0.5
D2a1*-M125 c12.0 0.5
D2a1a-P42 c 2.3
N1a-M128 0.7
N1*-LLY22g1.2 1.6 3.8 1.4
N1b-P43 1.1 3.1
N1c-M178 0.4 10.0 0.3 1.0
NO-M214 c 2.3 0.2 0.4 0.2
O2a1a-M111 8.1
O2a1*-M95 1.9 0.5 6.3 7.9
O2*-P31 2.3 3.2 0.5
O2b*-SRY4657.7 6.3 0.4 0.5
O2b1-47z c 22.0 0.7 0.6
O*-M175 0.7 0.1 0.5
O3a1c-0026113.1 5.2 19.8 1.9 0.2 0.5
O3*-M122 6.6 4.8 8.8 1.4 9.1
O3a2c1-M13410.4 10.7 12.4 15.5 0.2 1.4
O1a*-M119 1.1 11.4 0.7 2.9
O1a2-M110 2.3 0.5
Others 1.1 8.5 11.5 32.8 89.150.7
Note: a. Haplogroup no menclature follows Karafet et al., 2008 ( for Haplogro up C,
D, and N) and Yan et al., 2011 (for Haplogroup O); b. NEA, Northeast Asian;
SEA, Southeast Asian; CAS, Central Asian; SAS, South Asian; OCE, Oceania
(Hammer et al. 2006); c. The Japanese-specific haplogroups.
Haplogroup O
The frequency of haplogroup O is ranging from 46.2% -
62.3% on main island Japanese and 37.8% on Okinawa Japanese,
but absent in the northern Hokkaido Ainu population. There are
two major sub-haplogroups of haplogroup O in Japanese: O2
defined by SNP M31 and O3 defined by SNP M122. Within
sub-haplogroup O2, Japanese/Korean-specified sub-haplogroup
O2b1 defined by SNP 47z exhibits higher frequencies on main
islands than Okinawa, while no Japanese-specific O3 sub-hap-
logroups has been identified.
Estimated by Y-STRs data and the Y chromosome most recent
common ancestors (YMRCA) algorithm (Stumpf et al., 2001),

Q.-L. DING ET AL.
22
the age of Japanese-specific haplogroup O2b1 is 5720 - 12,630
years (Hammer et al., 2006). This age consists with the Yayoi
Period.
Haplogroup O3 is another major haplogroup of contempo-
rary Japanese, which is also the biggest haplogroup in contem-
porary Han Chinese (Yan et al., 2011). The age estimation of
Japanese O3 haplogroups is much younger (~500 years BP or
less) and cou ld be explai ned by the recent migrant s from main-
land East Asia.
Haplog r oup D
The second most frequent haplogroup in Japanese is haplo-
group D, accounting for about 34.7% of main island Japanese.
Haplogroup D is absent outside Asia while most common in the
Japan and Tibet, which suggest that Tibetans and Japanese may
be closely related.
The D2-P37.1 is Japanese specific and can hardly be found
in Koreans, different from the high frequencies of haplogroup
O2b1 in both Japanese and Koreans. Haplogroup D exhibits a
very different pattern than haplogroup O in Japanese (Figure 3
and Figure 4). For example, the frequency of Haplogroup D in
northern Hokkaido Ainu and Okinawa people is highest among
all Japanese populations.
The age of Haplogroup D2 was 14,060 - 31,050 years (Ham-
mer et al., 2006), significantly older than that of Haplogroup
O2b1. This old age consists with the earliest peopling of Japan-
ese archipelago 50,000 to 10,000 years BP. Therefore, Haplo-
group D and Haplogroup O came from two distinct waves of
migration to the Jap anese archipelago .
Haplog r oups C and N
The third and the fourth most frequent haplogroups among
the Japanese are C and N, which account for 8.5% and 1.5% of
Japanese population, respectively. In Haplogroup C, a Japanese
Figur e 3.
Frequencies of Haplogroup D and O in different Japanese population,
arrows represent possible migration routes.
specific sub-haplogroup C1-M8 could be found. Interestingly,
sub-haplogroup C1-M8 is absent among the Ainu and most
frequent in Tokushima people, exhibiting a different pattern
compared to the Haplogroup D2 and O2b1. The estimated age
of Haplogroup C-M8 is 8,460-18,690 years (Hammer et al.,
2006).
Evidences from Mitochondrial and Autosomal
DNA Analyses
Evidences from mtDNA Analyses
According to the full mitochondrial genome sequencing data
(Tanaka et al. , 2004 ), con tempor ary Japanese are cl osest related
to Koreans, which consists with the migration from Korea and
the following rapid expansion in the Yayoi Period and Kofun
Period. Furthermore, evidence of admixture between ancient
southern and northern migrants was found. For example, Haplo-
group M12 may be a mitochondrial counterpart of Y chromo-
some Haplogroup D lineage, and could be found in high fre-
quency and diversity in both Japanese and Tibetans.
Frequencies of most mtDNA haplogroups were estimated
based on the sequencing data of hyper-variable region (HVR)
of mtDNA, offering a comprehensive comparison among
ancient Japanese, contemporary Japanese, other East Asians,
and Siberian populations (Table 2). Similar to Haplogroups C1
and D2 of Y chromosome, mtDNA Haplogroups N9b and M7a
could be identified as Jomonese-specific haplogroups (Kivisild
et al., 2002; Umetsu et al., 2005; Tanaka et al., 2004). Among
all three Japanese populations in Table 2, the frequencies of
Haplogroups N9b and M7a in Ainu and Okinawa Islanders are
much higher than main island Japanese, while the frequencies
of Haplogroups A and D (excluding D1), frequent among con-
temporary Chinese and Koreans, is much lower than the main
island Japanese. Since the sea level rise did not isolate the
Japanese archipelago from mainland Asia until the early Jomon
period, the high frequency of Haplogroups N9b and M7a in
Table 2.
Frequencies of selected mtDNA Haplogroups in Jomonese and the
ref erence pop ulation s (%).
Haplotype Funadomari
Jomonesea Kanto
Jomonesea Ainua main island
Japanesea
N9bb 64.3 0 7.8 1.9
D1 28.6 0 0 0
M7ab 7.1 3.7 15.7 10.0
A 0 7.4 3.9 9.0
D (xD1) 0 18.5 17.6 41.2
Others 0 70.4 55.0 37.9
Haplotype Okinawaa N. Chinesea Koreana Udegey
Siberiana
N9bb 4.6 0 0.3 30.4
D1 0 0 0 0
M7ab 23.3 0 1.3 19.6
A 6.8 5.0 8.8 0
D (xD1) 38.3 51.5 32.5 0
Others 27.0 43.5 57.1 50.0
Note: a. Data from literature (Adachi et al., 2009; Shinoda, 2003; Shinoda et al.,
1999; Tajima et al., 2004; Maruya ma et al., 2003; Umetsu et al., 2005; Yao et al.,
2002; Lee et al., 2006; Starikovskaya et al., 2005); b. Jomonese-specific haplo-
groups.

Q.-L. DING ET AL. 23
Southeastern Siberians could also evince the first wave of
migration to Japan. However, the different frequency of Haplo-
group D1 in Funadomari Jomon and Kanto Jomon may suggest
multiple routes of migration to the Japanese archipelago in the
Jomon period, which consists with the different distribution
patterns and ages of Y chromosome Haplogroups C and D.
To conclude, consistent with Y chromosome data, the pre-
sences of Jomonese-specific Haplogroups N9b and M7a and
contemporary East Asian common Haplogroups A and D (xD1)
in main island Japanese provide solid evidence of population
admixture between the Jomonese and subsequent Yayoiese.
The higher frequencies of N9b and M7a in Hokkaido Ainu and
Okinawa Islanders suggest less contribution from Yayoiese to
the local Jomonese, which also consists with evidence from Y
chromosome research among these p opulations.
Evidences from Autosomal Analyses
Autosomes are ideal material to test complex population
genetic hypotheses, since they carry much more information
than t he Y chromosome and mtDNA. The most comprehen sive
autosomal study of East Asians (The HUGO Pan-Asian SNP
Consortium, 2009) shows a relatively clear difference between
analysis showed that the components in Ryukyuans are appa-
rently different from any other populations. Furthermore, Ryuk-
yuans lack East Asian specific components and have abundant
common component shared by East Asians, Central Asians,
Southeastern Asians, and Oceanians. This evidence suggests a
different origin of Ryukyuans compared to the main island
Japanese, which consists with the Jomon-origin of Ryukyuans.
Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and ge-
netic distances calculation of variant Japanese populations using
140,387 autosomal SNPs have been performed by Yamaguchi-
Kabata et al., (2009). From the PCA diagram, two distinct
clusters of Japanese different from Han Chinese could be
identified, while another small group of Japanese shows a
closer relationship with Han Chinese. The genetic distance
between Ryukyu cluster and any main island Japanese popu-
lation (Hondo cluster) is significantly higher than the genetic
distance within main island Japanese population. This evidence
confirms a different origin of Okinawa Islanders than the main
island Japanese populations, and could also be a solid evidence
for the Admixture model.
However, there are many problems when using autosomal
data in population structure interpretation. Recombination
occurs frequently on autosomes, making it hard to trace the
ancestry of a population. The data output from the STRUCTURE
analysis (The HUGO Pan-Asian SNP Consortium, 2009) or the
inter-population genetic distances (Yamaguchi-Kabata et al.,
2009) could not be assigned to any specific genetic components.
It is not possible to calculate the admixture ratio of Jomonese
with Yayoiese using autosomal data.
Conclusion and Prospects
According to studies on the population structure of East
Asians, Southeast Asians, and South Asians (Jobling et al.,
2003; Tu et al., 1993; Wen et al., 2004; Thangarai et al., 2003;
Deng et al., 2004; Karafet et al., 1999), based on Y chromo-
somal evid ences, we can dr aw conclusions as follo ws.
The frequency distribution of Haplogroup D is U-shaped,
while the distribution of Haplogroup O is inverted U-shaped
(Figure 4). Before the discovery of detailed markers on the Y
chromosome, Sokal et al. (1998) predicted that if the origin of
Japanese consists with the Admixture model, the distribution of
Figur e 4.
The U-sha pe and inve rted U-s hape patt ern of Hapl ogro up frequ ency vs.
Dist an ce from Kyushu (Modified from Hammer et al., 2006).
certain characteristics will be U-shaped or inverted U-shaped.
Thanks to the large sample number of Y chromosome studies,
the U-shaped and the inverted U-shaped patterns have been
shown, which is supportive of the Admixture model.
The age estimation of Haplogroup C and D in Japanese
archipelago consists with the range of the Jomon Period, while
the age of Haplogroup O consists with the Yayoi Period.
The absence of Haplogroup C1-M8 in Haplogroup D-rich
Ainu and Okinawa is also a pu zzle remains u nsol ved. Si nce the
age estimation of Haplogroup C1 (8460 - 18,690 years) and
Haplogroup D2 (14,060 - 31,050 years) is apparently different,
and still much older than the Haplogroup O2b1, we can
conclude that Haplogroup C1/D2 and O2b1 arise from two
different waves of migration. However, given the different
geographic distribution of Haplogroup C and D, it is yet to be
seen whether the Haplogroup C and Haplogroup D are brought
by the same wave of migration or by two different waves of
migration with different migration routes.
The diversity of Y-STRs and downstream Y-SNPs of Haplo-
group O2 and O3 in Koreans are apparently higher than in
Japanese, which proves that the Yayoiese came to Japanese
archipelago from the southern route (Korean) rather than from
the northern route (Sakhalin).
Ruling out sampling error and the uneven distribution of
different location, and based on data of Haplogroups D and O,
the genetic contributions of Jomonese and Yayoiese have been
calculated. The contribution of Jomonese is 40.3%, while the
contribution of Yayoiese is 51.9% (Hammer et al., 2006).
The evidence from mtDNA analysis also supports the Admix-
ture model of Japanese origins. However, the pattern is not as
clear as that provided by the Y chromosome. For example, the
admixture of Jomonese to Yayoiese calculated from mtDNA
haplogroups (~80% Jomonese contribution, unpublished data)
are stronger than Y chromosome haplogroups (~40% Jomonese
contribu tion, Hammer et al., 2006), as well as the lo w frequent-
cy existence of Y chromosome haplogroup D counterpart in
mtDNA Haplogroup, the Haplogroup M12 in Korean. This
could be explained by wars and other activities between popu-
lations. During a war, males from the defeated side have a
higher probability of being killed while the females from the
defeated side have a greater probability of being abducted as
war trophy and may continue give birth to the next generation
with the conquering males. The same phenomena could be
observed among Micronesians, among which the Japanese spe-

Q.-L. DING ET AL.
24
cific Y Haplogroup D2b1 is found in Micronesians at low fre-
quentcy due to the prolonged Japanese dominance of Micro-
nesia before the end of the World War II.
Furthermore, information of mitochondrial DNA hyper-
variation regions is very limited and results in large standard
error. The calculation of the admixture ratio based on HVR is
problematic. Whole mitochondrial genome sequencing on differ-
rent populations is required to increase the reliability of admix-
ture ratio and other inference based on mitochondrial evi-
dences.
The evidence from autosomal analyses is even weaker; we
can only conclude that gene flow between different populations
has occurred in Japanese population throughout history. More
and more recent studies suggest that, based on Y chromosome,
mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal analyses, the Admixture
model is the best-fit model.
Although the rough outline of contemporary Japanese migra-
tion routes has been drawn, many small puzzles remain un-
solved. For example, is the extremely high admixture ratio of
mitochondrial DNA of Jomonese reliable? Is the Y Haplo-
groups C and D arrived at Japanese archipelago at the same
time? With the development of next-generation sequencing and
advanced sampling, tho se puzzles are expected to be addressed
in the near future.
Acknowledgements
QLD was supported by Top Talents in Basic Sciences pro-
gram of Chinese National Ministry of Education. We thank Shi
Yan, Lan-Hai Wei, and Hong-Xiang Zheng for sharing their
dataset and opinions.
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