JAPAN GASTRODIPLOMACY IN PRACTICES: THE WASHOKU PROGRAM TOWARDS INDONESIA

Abstract

Gastrodiplomacy is a new strategy and it is used to increase Japan's national interests in diplomatic relations with Indonesia. Japan is considered a country that has significant influence in various areas of the world, especially in Asia. The influence of Japanese culture develops through references to popularized products, one of which is traditional Japanese food products. Japan government created the Cool Japan strategy which is used as a cultural diplomacy tool. This research will explore the extent to which Japan carried out gastrodiplomacy towards Indonesia through the Washoku program. This analysis will be carried out using gastrodiplomacy theory, focusing on the uniqueness of Japanese food. Meanwhile, the research method is qualitative. The Washoku program aims to promote Japanese food overseas and will ultimately have a big impact on Japan's development in many industries, including tourism, in addition to providing a good image of Japan in Indonesia.