Behind the closeness of Japanese Ambassador Ishii Masafumi with Indonesian citizens … Page all

KOMPAS.com – Ishii Masafumi, maybe his name is not very well known among Indonesian people.

However if it is called ” Ambassador Japanese “, or”Japanese Ambassador“, some people, especially social media users, might be able to find out who he is.

Yes, Masafumi is the Japanese Ambassador in Indonesia who is known to be active in uploading his work activities through social media accounts, one of them Instagram on the @jpnambsindonesia account.

In an account that currently has 147 thousand followers, Masafumi often uploads a lunch menu which is a menu of Indonesian dishes.

From 2-3 photos uploaded simultaneously on Instagram, it always shows a unique expression and style of photo. Masafumi also shows that the food that re-fills the plate is successfully consumed.

Also read: Japanese Ambassador Ishii Masafumi Excuses, Warganet Recalls his Lunch Menu

Not only food, this 63-year-old diplomat also always wears Indonesian batik in almost all of his office activities.

He has various batik motifs, sometimes using them according to the theme of the activities to be carried out. For example, when visiting Bakamla, he wore batik with a marine theme.

Not surprisingly, his figure has received sympathy from many netizens from Indonesia. Even hundreds of netizens left sad comments when Masafumi said his time in Indonesia would end in about 20 days.

For example, comments from the @andhits account.

“Pakkkkk … Just cancel, don’t go home ???????????????? sadhhh really, “he wrote.

“???????????????????????????? where do you move sir, will make melow, will you miss photos and food now ????????????????????????, “wrote another account, @skarsgard_elly.

Also read: The Unique Way of the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi Ishii Lunch …

Long process

Sriwijaya University International Relations lecturer, Ferdiansyah Rivai, assessed that the closeness between Masafumi and Indonesian citizens is something that cannot just happen. It takes a long process.

“Japanese cultural diplomacy has been going on for a long time in Indonesia booming pop cultures since the 1990s. So that Indonesian people are actually very close to Japanese culture, “said Ferdi when contacted on Friday (4/12/2020).

Therefore, he said the created closeness was quite easy to form.

“So, step Japanese Ambassador it is quite easy to get close to the Indonesian people. It is different, if this is done by ambassadors from other countries who do not have the same historical history. Effortit must be higher, “explained Ferdi.

Also read: The Japanese Ambassador Cannot Wait to Ride the Jakarta MRT for Lunch in Blok M

To be close to the people of a country, Ferdi said there had to be an expansion of pop culture first. That too must be done with the right and massive strategy.

“It simply came to our notice then Korean wave, and booming South Korean culture in Indonesia. After that is done, the ambassador (South Korea) can use the (Japanese ambassador) strategy, “he concluded.

Regarding the longstanding relationship between Indonesia and Japan, International Relations Expert, Dinna Prapto Raharja, also confirmed.

Contacted separately on Friday (4/12/2020), Dinna said Japan had long invested its shares in Indonesia.

“Japan is an important diplomatic partner for Indonesia, because in addition to being consistent as one of the largest investors in the economic sector, Japan is also active in regional politics and expanding socio-cultural cooperation with Indonesia,” Dinna explained.

It’s just that, from the closeness that was successfully formed between the figure of the Japanese Ambassador and netizen Indonesia, who benefits?

Dinna said, actually this diplomatic style through food was very positive in introducing Indonesian cultures to Japan.

“So Mr. Ambassador’s culinary diplomacy is interesting as a way for him to introduce Indonesia to Japanese society to reach Japanese young people,” said Dinna.

Also read: Meeting Mahfud MD, the Japanese Ambassador Wants to Strengthen Cooperation between Maritime Security and Anti-terrorism

“Hopefully followers His Instagram is more Japanese than the Indonesian, so that the goal can be achieved, “he continued.

Only, if you look at the list of followers and interactions that are built in the account, the majority of followers of his Instagram account are Indonesian people.

So, is this upload, which should be able to promote culture, actually conveyed to the target called Dinna, namely the Japanese youth?

“Well, our people are more enthusiastic, huh? It means that this method actually makes Indonesians fall in love with Japan more. Don’t be surprised if then because of his way, Japanese products are even more attractive to Indonesians,” said Dinna.

In general, Dinna also said that Indonesian ordinary people are more familiar with Japan. But the opposite is true for Japanese ordinary people.

“Ironically, the Indonesian common people know Japan better than the Japanese people know Indonesia. Whereas in bilateral relations, the nature of reciprocal relations, reciprocating, is very important to be cultivated,” he concluded.

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