Foundation bridges two cultures
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
While most cultural centers deal mainly with matters of art and lifestyle, the Japan Foundation spices up Japan-Indonesia cultural exchanges with intellectual discourse.
The institution has grown to become a cultural and information center for Japanese and Indonesians looking for insights into both countries.
No fewer than 30,000 people visit the foundation's office in the Summitmas Tower on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta, annually.
"Our institution tries to promote culture in a wider sense, not only the arts as has been commonly misperceived," Japan Foundation assistant director Norihisa Tsukamoto told The Jakarta Post.
The Japan Foundation, established in Japan in 1972 under the foreign ministry, now has 19 offices in 18 countries worldwide.
"Our Japanese name, if translated literally, means 'international exchange organization,'" Tsukamoto said. "We support any form of exchange that promotes peace."
It was in 1974, at the height of anti-Japan protests here, that the foundation opened its Jakarta office.
The foundation works to introduce Indonesians to Japanese culture through art programs, intellectual discourse and language programs.
The foundation's program officer, Diana S. Nugroho, said the institution also provided grants for sociocultural projects.
Last month, the Japan Foundation held discussions on Indonesian Muslims' perspective of Japan.
Still, Japanese art and performances still dominate the foundation's program.
"We are currently focusing on youth and contemporary musical and dance performances," Diana said.
She said the foundation arranged the recent Indonesian tour of Japanese pop group Boom, together with local trio ABthree and dangdut singer Inul Daratista. Boom played concerts in Makassar in South Sulawesi, Yogyakarta and Jakarta.
Aside from introducing contemporary Japanese culture to Indonesians, the foundation also holds regular events that showcase more traditional customs like the art of flower arranging and the Japanese tea ceremony.
"But we have not yet had the chance to introduce popular traditional performances such as kabuki," said foundation assistant director Tsukamoto.
Kabuki, a traditional Japanese theatrical performance, requires specialized equipment such as a rotating stage, special lighting and a proper dressing room.
"Jakarta does not yet have an appropriate venue," he said.
Indonesian culture is in introduced to a Japanese audience through film screenings and traditional performances like the lenong dance.
"We provide Japanese subtitles and introductions for such event," Tsukamoto said.
The foundation also helps bridge the language barrier by promoting the formal and informal study of the Japanese language. (003)