Name: Irvina Nurina.

NIM: 20160510179 || Topic: Doraemon as Japan’s Soft Diplomacy

INTRODUCTION

Assalamu’alaikum.wr.wb Good morning ladies and gentleman

ATTENTION GETTER

Are you familiar with this song? Doraemon is one of the most popular fictional character
created by Japan, especially by Fujiko F. Fujio. In the 22nd century, there was a poor family from
Nobita’s grandchild. The poverty of this family was due to Nobita’s unpaid debts which were left
as dues for his generations. Because of their pitiable financial condition, the family could only
afford a second class of robot at the auctions for robots. None would pour chase this robot for its
inherent defects. By now you must have guessed this robot! Yes, it’s Doraemon, Nobita’s helper
and best friend.

Then we see, the Indonesian people are very familiar with Doraemon and know where
this figure came from. Doraemon chosen as a tool of soft diplomacy as Doraemon is a Japanese
pop culture products that have been around for a long time and has already been recognized by
the people of Japan, and today by the people in various countries around the world. The moral
messages that exist in Doraemon's manga and anime also make them well received, not only by
children, but also teenagers and adults. So, Doraemon serve as a soft diplomacy icon of Japan
from the best-selling manga and anime.

THESIS STATEMENT

Today I would like to tell you about some soft diplomacy's points behind the making of
Doraemon.

OVERVIEW

I'm going to talk about three points. First, I'll tell you the description of Doraemon and Soft
Diplomacy. Second, I'm going to explain about how Doraemon can be a representative to Japan's
soft diplomacy. Third, I'll explain you about the soft diplomacy that contained in the
visualization of Doraemon.

(Transition) (I will start with the description of what Doraemon and soft diplomacy are)

First, Doraemon is a blue fat cat robot made by Fujiko F. Fujio that came from 22nd
century and has a magic pocket on his tummy to help Nobita from the poorness with many magic
tools from his pocket. But do you know that Doraemon was originally has yellow colored and
has ears? In a long time ago, when Doraemon fell asleep, his ears were bitten by a mouse robot
and that made him so sad until fell to his sorrow, when he wanted to take a tool in the form of a
growing fluid, he wrongly took a sad liquid that causes him to continue sad and started crying
and made his tears fade the yellow color on his body. That’s why until now Doraemon is still
traumatized if meet with rats. Then, soft power is the power of attracting others with the power
of emotional intelligence such as making relationships, persuasive communication, the appeal of
visionary ideology, and cultural influences, thus making others affected.

(Transition) (Now that we understand what Doraemon and soft diplomacy are; then Let’s see
how Doraemon can be a representative for Japan’s soft diplomacy)

Doraemon not only introduces to people outside Japan about the Japanese country, but
also introduces what the Japanese people think, what kind of life they live and what the future of
Japanese society wants to create. As the form of seriousness of Japanese government in
exploiting popular culture of manga and anime as soft power, in 2008 Doraemon had the honor
of being appointed as the first Japanese Animation Culture Ambassador.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura officially appointed Doraemon as the

animated cartoon ambassador of Japan. At the ceremony, Komura handed over the official
certificate to Doraemon and Nobita. His mission from this Fujiko F. Fujio's cartoon character is
to promote Japanese animated cartoons all over the world, and also strive to step up efforts in
promoting 'Cool Japan' which began campaigning in 2007 aimed at promoting animated
cartoons, manga comics and Japanese cuisine all over world. Japan is aware that the nature of
soft power is its long-term impact.

(Transition) (After we know how Doraemon can be a representative for Japan’s soft
diplomacy; Now Let’s look at the soft diplomacy’s points that contained in Doraemon)

In the manga and anime Doraemon contains the values of the Japanese society and the
characteristics of the Japanese. Through the story of Doraemon shows the daily life of Japanese
people in general. Through Doraemon's manga and anime, people outside Japan can learn about
Japanese culture and Japanese daily life.

First with freedom of expression, but do you know if the characters in the Doraemon
have a secret in the visualization? First, Giant, in the making of Doraemon he had the
visualization for America, look at his body that so big and fat, the attitude to control other
children, but he also afraid to his mother. Next, Suneo has the visualization for Europe, look at
his attitudes that like to show off his luxury life style, and like to hide behind Giant. Next is
Nobita, he has the visualization for Asia, look at he always being backward, and always being
suppressed by Giant. And then there is Doraemon, he has the visualization for Japan its self that
always can be reliable by Nobita with his new innovation tools. But at least they still can be a
best friend and help each other, this is the Japan’s strategy to tell people how Japan make a
relationship with other countries and the culture to keep a relations with everyone like the
characters do.
 Another example is the greeting culture inside the Doraemon’s anime and manga. We
know that when Nobita gets home from school, he always says “tadaima” or we can say it “I’m
home” and replied by “okaeri” or we can say it “welcome home” it’s such a greeting that can
visualization that Japan has own culture to do greeting when we get home and reply it. Then we
see for example in Doraemon’s movie “Nobita and the Green Giant Legend”, it has a moral value
that Japan wants to tell us to keep the environment and nature by planting plants.

(Transition) (And now Let’s summarize the key points)

In conclusion, we know that Doraemon is a blue fat cat robot that chosen as a tool of
Japan’s soft diplomacy; Doraemon chosen as Animated Cartoon Ambassador of Japan; and the
soft diplomacy’s points contained in Doraemon’s manga and anime such as freedom of
expression, the culture that Japan wants to tell with other countries, to the importance of
protecting the environment.

That’s all from me. Any question?

Thank you for your attention, I’m Irvina, wassalamu’alaikum.wr.wb