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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.
#IndonesiaJapanRelations
#TotalDiplomacy
#PeopleToPeople
#PublicDiplomacy
#SoftPowerStrategy
