Politik Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia
Review of cases of cultural diplomacy between Japan and Indonesia.
      JKT-48 was formed by a Japanese entertainment company. AKS is one form of the formation of the idol group JKT48 by the Japanese entertainment company. However, in Indonesia in 2011 JKT-48 was born or organized by PT Dentsu Inter Admark Media Group Indonesia. JKT 48 is one of the sister idol groups adopted from the Japanese idol group AKB48 where this girl band is packed with music and dance nuances of Japanese culture. AKS itself is a form of Japanese cultural diplomacy to introduce and spread Japanese pop culture to Indonesia. This idol group phenomenon, which is very popular in Japan, was brought to Indonesia by AKS in collaboration with MNC Media through the establishment of JKT48. By adopting the same concept and system as its parent group AKB48, JKT48 seeks to attract the Indonesian public's interest in Japanese pop culture through songs, performances and events packaged in a typically Japanese manner. A localization strategy is also implemented in JKT48, starting from the use of Indonesian in songs, costumes with an Indonesian touch, to holding handshake events in various cities in Indonesia. The existence of JKT48 is supported by the Japanese government through the Cool Japan program as an effort to increase Japan's positive image and soft power. Thus JKT48 can be seen as a form and example of contemporary Japanese cultural diplomacy in Indonesia through the spread of pop idol group culture. However, in conducting diplomacy, of course the actors are not only states but countries, but there are also non-state actors, namely non-governmental organizations, the role of companies, the role of society, and individuals who have an important role in carrying out their duties. To strengthen relationships, of course, a sense of trust is needed, where this sense of trust arises from the neutrality and good behavior of both parties in the relationship. From this, the most effective perpetrators of cultural diplomacy are through non-state actors. Cultural diplomacy carried out can be in the form of cultural festivals ranging from food, music, tourism and education. This is what Japan did as a marketing strategy to recognize its country's identity.
      In carrying out an analysis of problems that are currently occurring on a global scale which will involve two countries by carrying out bilateral cooperation, of course in understanding them we need to take a soft power approach. However, within soft power there will of course be several theories that will lead us to better understand the analysis that will be carried out. Therefore, we use two theories in cultural diplomacy between Japan and Indonesia, namely as follows:
1. The public diplomacy theoryÂ
     In international relations thinking, there are two significant approaches, namely, first, soft power which can be interpreted as the ability to attract other countries through ideas, politics, cultural attraction or policies that have been decided. Second, hard power is defined as a state's ability to attract the sympathy of other countries by using military or economic appeal. However, in this article we will only use a soft power approach because this will provide opportunities and the absence of violence. Cultural diplomacy is part of soft power. Milton C. Commuings once said that the exchange of beliefs, values and ideas, information, and other aspects of culture aims to increase mutual understanding. Over time, diplomacy has become one of the approaches that most countries in the world use, where it can be seen that culture is very significant in promoting a product from a country so that it is widely known by outsiders.
     Tulus Warsito in his work once told the story that a country's efforts aim to fight for its national interests through cultural dimensional processes, which can be done through macro processes such as propaganda or through micro processes such as arts, education and science. From a cultural diplomacy perspective, this can be carried out by states, non-governmental institutions and even society as well. Of course, a relationship pattern will emerge over time. Activities that will involve more than two parties, such as government to government or individual to individual and so on. This gives rise to factors originating from general assumptions that can transcend borders even though the country has cultural characteristics. So that people can have great respect for cultural differences with other countries, of course this can only be done through cultural exchange between nations with established cooperation.
     So it can be concluded that cultural diplomacy is also part of a soft power approach for a country when it wants to carry out relations or cooperation with other parties whose actors are not only the state but the community can also do this. To achieve the national interests of a country over other countries through education, arts and so on. If viewed positively, of course this cultural diplomacy will be able to introduce the advantages and uniqueness of the country. In this paper, cultural diplomacy explains more about the role or influence that JKT-48 has through cultural diplomacy so that it has a significant impact on the country or society, especially teenagers.
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