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All eyes on Japan
Poppy: Japanese idols AKB48 performed at the Japan Pop Culture Festival 2012 in JakartaTo some Indonesians born in the 1970s or 1980s, certain things Japanese can ring sentimental bells
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span class="inline inline-left">Poppy: Japanese idols AKB48 performed at the Japan Pop Culture Festival 2012 in JakartaTo some Indonesians born in the 1970s or 1980s, certain things Japanese can ring sentimental bells.
Along with the arrival of private television stations and video players in the 1980s, the public, and especially the young, was able to enjoy more and more entertainment from Japan such as anime and tokusatsu — distinctively styled superhero movies such as Kamen Rider and Goggle V.
The exposure to Japanese pop culture became even stronger in the 1990s along with the rapid influx into the country of manga, or Japanese comics.
The adults who were part of that cultural wave might still remember mimicking the deadly moves in Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball comics or wanting to be a ballerina after reading Kimiko Uehara’s Mari-chan series.
And despite raging trends like K-Pop, these things still have a special place in the heart of some Indonesians, as one could see during the recent Japan Pop Culture Festival.
According to the organizing committee, the festival has special significance because of the recent tragedy in Japan.
A magnitude-8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck the northeast coast of Japan on March 11 last year, killing thousands, devastating numerous cities and causing panic over the possibility of a nuclear disaster.
The Associated Press reported in January that Japan reported its first annual trade deficit since 1980, as it imported expensive energy to offset shortfalls caused by the tsunami and manufacturers shifted production overseas to avoid the damage inflicted by the strong yen.
However, the country’s spirit appears to remain strong. 
The festival’s committee consisted of Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, the Japan Embassy in Indonesia, the Japan Foundation in Jakarta, the Jakarta Japan Club, Al Azhar University Indonesia and the Community of Japan Alumni in Indonesia.
The festival, which was mostly held in Jakarta, included a J-Pop concert featuring Japanese idols AKB48, often dubbed the most popular group in Japan these days.
AKB48 was created by lyricist and producer Yasushi Akimoto in 2005. His concept for the all-female group was “Idols you can meet every day,” and indeed, according to the group’s website, they perform almost every day at their theater in Akihabara, Tokyo.
The group currently has 57 members, thus securing them the Guinness World Record for largest pop group.
The 57 members are divided into four groups, group A, K, B and 4. The website also mentions 18 trainees.
According to the Japan Today website, one of AKB48’s albums, Flying Get, sold over one million copies on the first day of its release last year, setting a new Japanese music industry record at the time.
Indonesia is home to AKB48’s “sister group” JKT48. Sporting a somewhat similar kawaii (cute) style as AKB48, the group currently has 26 members.
According to their website, the group was formed “To create a place for Indonesian women to realize their dream. With our fans, we want to create the only ‘original Indonesian idol’.”
The website said JKT48 wants to follow AKB48’s path to be idols who are close to their fans, and that their fans’ support helps them attain global fame.
“We want JKT48 to follow the path of AKB48 to become an idol group close to their fans and have a close relationship with them. We believe that fans’ support will bring JKT48 to a higher level, beginning as a Jakarta-based idol group, to becoming known throughout the world,” the website said.
Long lines at Balai Kartini in South Jakarta had formed hours ahead of AKB48’s concert there. Male concertgoers were roughly equal in number to the women, some wearing t-shirts bearing the group’s name.
A group of young men said they came from Yogyakarta just to attend the concert. Another concertgoer, a university student, said she liked AKB48 because their music boosts her spirits.
She added that Japanese groups had their own special traits and music. “Some of them don’t pronounce English very well, but that’s part of their charm,” she said.
The sold-out concert, which drew around 3,000, was high-paced and energetic, with barely any idle time between songs, especially at the beginning.
Audience members appeared delighted with the music, which often features up-tempo dance beats and euphoric mixtures of sounds such as the electric guitar and various horn instruments. The crowds’ precise chanting, especially during songs such as “Heart Gata Virus” and “Aitakatta”, added to the festive atmosphere, along with the waving of glowsticks.
The show was also a parade of impressive costumes, such as ones equipped with wings during “Bird”.
JKT48 joined AKB48 on stage for the encore, which featured “Aitakatta” and the hit “Heavy Rotation”. 
Satya, an AKB48 fan who came to the event, said he liked the group because “each member has their own style”.
The festival’s second day also included a cosplay show, a hair and makeup show, as well as various booths such as one belonging to the Machiko Manga School run by
manga artist Machiko Maeyama, who has lived in Indonesia since 1997. There was also a booth for demonstrations of “Furoshiki”, which is the Japanese art of wrapping cloth, as well as one for Japanese tourism.
For those who still cannot get enough of J-culture, the treat will continue until mid-March with activities such as animation workshops in Yogyakarta and Jakarta and a karaoke competition. Schedules are available at the Japan Foundation Jakarta’s website.
— Photos Courtesy of
Japan Pop Culture Festival
