Indonesia-Japan Cultular Diplomacy : History of The Japanese Idol Band Representation in Indonesia

In the realm of international relations, diplomacy is an important instrument that enables the achievement of national interests. Culture now has an important role in diplomacy because it is used as a tool to carry out soft power diplomacy activities. The use of soft power in this era is very reliable, because the actors who play a role are no longer just states in global politics, but there are other new actors that have emerged. Thus, in soft power power becomes more persuasive than coercive. The concept of power shifts from the use of hard power to the use of soft power.

Japan itself seeks to promote its cultural influence to the international community through this soft power. So that makes Japan conduct cultural diplomacy through idol groups as non-government actors.

Indonesia as an archipelago that stretches from Sabang to Merauke is a country rich in culture. Indonesia is a country consisting of a variety of tribes that produce a variety of different cultures. Indonesian culture has various categories consisting of musical instruments, dances, languages, customs, and so on. With the large number of Indonesian cultural diversity, it can be said that Indonesia is a country that has a high level of heterogeneity.

But unlike Japan, in Indonesia the term idol group was first recognized in 2011. In Indonesian, idol is referred to as idol, which means to be worshiped or to be idolized, whether it is in the form of objects or humans, both can become idols for an individual.

Popular culture is a modern Japanese culture that arises because of the times. In this development, Japan made its expansion by forming Japanese girl band idols, especially in Indonesia. The formation of this idol group is through the representation of idol groups from their home country Japan, namely AKB48.

The term idol group in Indonesia is synonymous with the JKT48 group. JKT48 is the first idol group in Indonesia and is based in Jakarta. JKT48 was formed in November 2011 through PT Dentsu Inter Admark Media Group Indonesia as the first sister group of AKB48 outside Japan, the first generation JKT48 members are 28 teenage girls who were directly selected by Yasushi Akimoto as the founder and producer of AKB48 and all its franchises.

Unlike a girl band, JKT48 is an idol group. If a girl band is a music group whose members are introduced to the public after a long training process until they are perfect to perform in front of many people as a member of a group, then an idol group is an 'art academy' meaning that the members are given not too much provision, along with the efforts of the members themselves, they will be allowed to perform in front of fans or other audiences. From the first day of performing, fans can directly judge the member's own development day by day as long as the member is still part of the group. This is one of the mottos of all 48 groups including JKT48 which is 'growing and developing with fans'.

JKT48 is an idol group founded in Indonesia and is indeed a direct adaptation of the Japanese idol group AKB48. This direct adaptation is then a major influence in their success through the means of business-modeled cultural diplomacy and Japanese music and cross-country collaboration, especially Indonesia. JKT48's existence has also contributed greatly to the music industry in Indonesia. They have created a new trend in the Indonesian music scene by introducing a unique style of music and performance with Japanese nuances and Indonesian culture.

Cultural diplomacy is inseparably linked to JKT48's representation of AKB48 through cultural means with business models related to the music industry. Where JKT48 is used as a trademark for the diplomacy of the two countries that introduce Japanese culture with the collaboration of Indonesian cultural nuances. Thus, JKT48 gets an active response from many parties who are interested in using JKT48 to connect with each other in creating a new popular culture towards the people of both countries.

JKT48 as a group of individuals who promote Indonesian culture such as batik, traditional food and Indonesian language can be seen when JKT48 performs in Japan as a guest star. During the performance, JKT48 members not only perform singing and dancing performances but also invite the audience to learn Indonesian interactively.

With a new popular culture that received a positive response, JKT48 still survives in the Indonesian Music Industry to this day. During its 10 years of existence, JKT48 has achieved various successes and recognition from various parties, one of which is from the Japanese Embassy to Indonesia.

JKT48 has been honored by the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia as a group that has contributed to Indonesia Japan-ASEAN friendly relations in the field of food and agriculture.

JKT48 has a big role in presenting Indonesian cultural elements in some of their musical works. There are various Japanese cultures that they try to combine with Indonesian elements through JKT48's movements or music video concepts. If seen from several appearances in the music video, JKT48 uses various attributes that depict typical Indonesian uniform styles in the music video "Heavy Rotation" which was released in 2013. In addition, JKT48 in several other music videos also displays elements of Indonesian culture as in the concept of Indonesian culture hangs raised can be seen in their music video entitled "Dirimu Melody". The element of the Joglo traditional house that became the background of the music making clarified the impression of Indonesia that JKT48 tried to bring.

One form of Japanese idol culture applied by JKT48 is the sale of photo albums of the members. Gravute photos are common in the Japanese idol world. Every idol in Japan is required to have one gravute photo in a swimsuit published through a general magazine. Unlike the Japanese culture, JKT48 tries to adapt the concept of gravute photos by applying the values and norms that apply in Indonesia. JKT48 brought the concept of gravute photos incorporating elements of Indonesian culture such as Kebaya to celebrate Kartini Day and they also released a special photopack to commemorate the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia in 2016.

JKT48 is also involved in major festivals such as Jaca-Japan Matsuri which is a forum for cultural exchange between the two countries through the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Departing from this, JKT48 several times became Indonesia's representation in introducing Indonesian culture in many major events both in Japan such as Enjoy Jakarta ambassadors in events in Tokyo and Osaka in 2014. Until JKT48 became the Capital Tourism Ambassador in Jakarta where this is an effort to attract more local Japanese visitors to Indonesia.

Through its popularity, JKT48 has received many offers to market the products of Japanese and Indonesian companies. Where products that use JKT 48 include Pocari Sweat, Tokiwa Pharmaceuticals, Laurier, Yamaha, Biore, Sharp, IM3, Lawson, Oxy, Honda Brio and All New Jazz, Charm, WAKUWAKU Japan, Tolak Angin, Lip Ice and Shopee. Creating JKT48 is able to have an impact in improving the economy for both countries because of its many involvements as Brand Ambassadors and non-government diplomacy actors.

About the author~

Hi, I'm Resi Gervia Juliyanti, an International Relations student at Yogyakarta University of Technology class 22 (accreditation B). My motivation for choosing the International Relations study program is because I like watching movies set in the background of war. After entering the International Relations study program, I came to know that it turns out that in this international world there will always be one country that dominates. My favorite lecturers in International Relations are Mr. Adi Wibawa, S.IP., MA. and Mrs. Hidayat Chusnul Chotimah, S.I.A,. M.A. and for my concentration plan I still haven't made a choice because I'm still confused :-D. Thank you all