From Marathon to Diplomacy: How Indonesia Turned a New Year’s Run in Japan into a Powerful People-to-People Mission

 

New Year’s Holiday Turned into Diplomacy: An Unexpected Story of Indonesia’s Total Diplomacy in Japan, 2009

 

During the administration of the United Indonesia Cabinet, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to Total Diplomacy. According to then Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda, Total Diplomacy is an approach that engages all components of the nation in synergy and addresses issues in an integrated and comprehensive manner.

 

This diplomacy is conducted at multiple levels: government-to-government, private sector-to-private sector, NGO-to-NGO, community-to-community, as well as through various combinations among these actors. Total Diplomacy encourages creative and innovative initiatives from all elements of society to advance national interests.

 

On January 1, 2009, at dawn shortly after the morning prayer, we set out eastward toward Ibaraki Prefecture, located approximately 120 kilometers from Gotanda, Tokyo. Together with Mr. Syamsari, S.Pt., M.M., Chairman of the Indonesian Prosperous Farmers and Fishermen Association (PPNSI) for South Sulawesi, and Ms. Irma, a PhD candidate from IPB University conducting research at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, we aimed to conduct people-to-people diplomacy in Ibaraki Prefecture by participating in a local marathon event.

 

At 8:00 a.m., we arrived at the Office of the Horticulture and Agriculture Association in Obata, Ibarakimachi, Ibaraki Prefecture. There, we coordinated preparations with Mr. Syozo Fujita, Head of the Association, which oversees agricultural trainees. Together with 17 Indonesian agricultural trainees undergoing training in Ibaraki Prefecture, we joined the local community of Mito City in the 34th Gantan Marathon.

 

Despite the cold weather—temperatures hovering around 0°C—the trainees remained enthusiastic as they warmed up before the race. The marathon was organized by the Mito City Government and held at Kairakuen Park in Ibaraki Prefecture.

 

In Japan, the term “marathon” is commonly used for long-distance runs beyond the 100-meter sprint. Although this particular race covered a distance of 3,000 meters, it was still referred to as a marathon. Open to the public—from elementary school children to adults—the event attracted approximately 2,500 participants and commenced at 8:30 a.m. Each runner completed a circuit around Lake Senba, a small lake with a 3-kilometer perimeter.

The lake offered a serene winter landscape. Bare trees framed the shoreline, ducks and swans glided freely across the water, and the morning sunlight shimmered on the clear surface, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

 

Our participation in the event was aimed at strengthening ties and fostering goodwill with the residents of Mito City. We wanted to demonstrate that Indonesian trainees are healthy, disciplined, and eager to take part in positive community activities organized in Ibaraki Prefecture.

 

During the event, we also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Tachi, a member of the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. According to Mr. Fujita, he expressed his appreciation for the participation of Indonesian trainees in community activities and conveyed his hope that Indonesia–Japan relations would continue to grow stronger. He also wished the trainees success in their agricultural training in Ibaraki.

 

By taking part in this important public event, the people of Mito were able to get to know Indonesians more closely, fostering sympathy and mutual understanding. One meaningful outcome of this engagement was a Japanese family expressing interest in learning more about Indonesia and studying the Indonesian language with the trainees.

 

On that occasion, Mr. Syamsari, Chairman of PPNSI South Sulawesi, encouraged the trainees from South Sulawesi:

“Upon returning home, you will be invited to collaborate in developing agriculture in our region. South Sulawesi still has approximately 130 hectares of land ready for development for food crops, including soybeans.”

 

We also used this opportunity to instill in the trainees a strong sense of pride in the farming profession. Farming is an honorable calling. Farmers play a vital role in producing food—the most basic necessity of humankind. Through their hard work, they contribute to the nutrition of children during their critical growth years, enabling them to grow into healthy, intelligent, and capable individuals. These children may one day become village heads, district chiefs, regents, governors, ministers, or even presidents—wise and competent leaders who will guide our nation toward justice, prosperity, and lasting peace.

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