Yogyakarta, 23/5/2025 – As part of the UNY Cultural Festival 2025, the dance group HIKARI from the Student Association of Japanese Language and Culture (HIMAJE) UGM, took the stage as one of the featured performers, bringing the rich essence of Japanese culture to life. With striking performances clad in traditional kimono and accompanied by fan props, HIKARI delivered not only aesthetic beauty but also heartfelt stories full of emotional depth and cultural meaning.

The first performance was a traditional-style dance set to the song “Tsugai Kogarashi” by Hinayuki. Performed by Listu and Sabrina (class of 2023), the duet portrayed Listu in a masculine role and Sabrina in a feminine one. Through graceful yet firm movements, they told the story of two souls bound by fate, wandering through the cold winds of autumn. The dance visualized themes of loyalty, loss, and the enduring hope that persists in a chaotic world.

The second performance was a cover dance of the song “Usubeniiro no Yakusoku” by AKATSUKI, a group from the game Ensemble Stars!!. This routine was performed by three first-year students from the class of 2024: Rani, Bilqis, and Shelina. With synchronized and elegant choreography, they embodied the spirit of three idols united by quiet promises and unwavering commitment. Their performance reflected not just coordination, but also the strength that lies in silent determination—to stand firm amid change, to protect shared dreams, and to uphold values they believe in.

These two performances were more than just artistic showcases—they were meaningful learning experiences. Behind each movement lies a process of understanding culture, collaborating as a team, and conveying emotion and narrative through physical expression. With continued support from the Japanese Language and Culture Program at FIB UGM, students are encouraged not only to study Japanese culture through textbooks but also to live and experience it directly. Here, learning becomes holistic: touching the mind, touching the heart, and touching the soul.

[Public Relations of Japanese Language and Culture, Barra Taura Nursaid]

Yogyakarta, 23/5/2025 – On May 11, 2025, the HIKARI dance group performed as one of the featured acts at Okaeri Reborn 2025, a cultural festival organized by UGM’s Vocational School. For this performance, they presented Yosakoi Odori, a vibrant festival dance originating from Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Known for its energetic movements and fast-paced rhythm, Yosakoi captures the spirit of togetherness and the joyful celebration of life deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

HIKARI’s performance was set to the song “Shunki Mushin Mirai e”, a well-known number in the world of Yosakoi performances. The song conveys themes of spring, sincerity, and a hopeful outlook toward the future. The dance was brought to life by four students from the 2023 cohort: Rani, Ibel, Amel, and Febby, whose spirited and harmonious choreography left a lasting impression. Their use of umbrella props not only enhanced the visual appeal but also added a theatrical layer that deepened the emotional resonance of the dance.

Through this performance, HIKARI didn’t just introduce Japanese culture on a surface level—they embodied it within a local context, offering a holistic form of cross-cultural learning. Dance became a medium through which students experienced core Japanese values firsthand: teamwork, consistency, and self-expression—all internalized through intensive rehearsals and live performance.

By creating opportunities like this, the program aims to nurture students who don’t just learn about Japanese culture from textbooks, but who also actively engage with it in meaningful ways. Events such as these reflect the importance of fostering a participatory, creative, and supportive learning environment—one that cultivates not only intellectual growth but also emotional and personal development.

[Public Relations of Japanese Language and Culture, Barra Taura Nursaid]

Yogyakarta, 15/5/2025 – Rina Dwi Astuti, a 2021 student from the Bachelor of Japanese Language and Culture who had the opportunity to study at Ferris University, shared her meaningful experiences during her time in Yokohama, Japan.

As part of the Spring Semester exchange program, Ferris University organized a study tour called the Japan Study Tour. This three-day, two-night trip to Hiroshima aimed to strengthen the bonds between exchange students and local Ferris University students, while also deepening their understanding of the importance of peace.

During the trip, Rina and other participating students visited several iconic locations, including the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima and Hiroshima Castle. They also visited significant sites such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Honkawa Elementary School—which served as an evacuation site for survivors of the atomic bombing—and the former site of an Indonesian student dormitory in Hiroshima. Additionally, the students had the rare opportunity to listen to a firsthand account from Mr. Yamada, who was just two years old at the time of the bombing.

As a history enthusiast, Rina mentioned that visiting Itsukushima Shrine, known for its famous torii gate standing in the sea, and Hiroshima Castle left the deepest impression on her. Her visit to the castle allowed her to imagine how people once lived and thrived in the area, which is now preserved as a historical site. Although the tour did not directly relate to her academic courses or specific field of study, Rina appreciated the chance to learn new vocabulary that she might not encounter in class.

Rina also expressed her gratitude to Ferris University for the thorough support provided to international students during the preparation for the Japan Study Tour. The university shared a clear and well-structured itinerary, helping prevent confusion and patiently assisting students who faced difficulties in getting ready for the trip.

The Japan Study Tour had a profound impact on Rina’s perspective of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Through learning about the event in depth—without justifying the actions of any party—she came to a greater understanding of the value of global peace. Rina also expressed her desire to spread the message of peace by sharing the knowledge she gained with those who are willing to listen.

[Valentina Pramahita Iswari through Public Relation of Japanese Literature, Yulia Agustiani]

Yogyakarta, 5/5/2025 – As part of its support for students’ interests and talents in Japanese culture, the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, consistently offers various academic enrichment opportunities — one of which is the shuuji (Japanese calligraphy) class.

This class serves as a platform for students who are passionate about the artistic expression of Japanese characters, while also deepening their understanding of the cultural values embedded in the practice. Beyond the classroom, the activity also encourages students to actively participate in national-level competitions.

On April 26, 2025, two students from the Department of Japanese Language and Culture — Putri Mega Asmarani and Barra Taura Nursa’id — represented FIB UGM in a national shuuji competition hosted by Widyatama University in Bandung. The competition was part of the annual Widyatama Japan Matsuri, which brought together students from various universities across Indonesia — including UGM, UNAIR, UB, UNPAD, and others — in a shared celebration of Japanese language education and cultural appreciation.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences provided full support for the students’ participation, including technical, administrative, and logistical assistance for inter-provincial travel. This support reflects the faculty’s ongoing commitment to nurturing both the academic and personal development of its students.

Although the competition did not yield the expected results, the experience proved immensely valuable. In addition to refining their calligraphy skills, students had the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and build meaningful connections with peers from across the country.

[Public Relation of Japanese Literature, Barra Taura Nursaid]

Yogyakarta, 21/4/2025 – Nadia Ayu Berliana, a fourth-year student in the Japanese Language and Culture Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has been granted a valuable opportunity to participate in the Spring 2025 Exchange Program at Kobe University, Japan. The Faculty of Global Human Sciences, one of the faculties at Kobe University, caught Nadia’s attention as someone studying the humanities, allowing her to explore how Kobe University examines various aspects of humanity such as culture, society, and social interactions.

By participating in this program, Nadia hopes to learn about cooperation, discipline, daily life ethics, and social dynamics among individuals in different societal environments. This will deepen her understanding of the social aspects and thought patterns of Japanese society. Additionally, Nadia also hopes to gain a new perspective on social and cultural interactions in the global world by experiencing firsthand the various traditions and customs of Japanese society.

Nadia is preparing herself for a smooth adaptation process both in the campus environment and daily life by carefully reviewing the details of the program she will undertake and improving her overall Japanese language skills. Nadia also shared that she has read and watched various resources about the ethics and social norms in Japan, as well as deepened her understanding of the differences in values and thought patterns in Japanese society in preparation for facing cultural differences.

Regarding her views on the importance of student exchange programs, Nadia expressed her opinion that student exchange programs are valuable opportunities that can have a significant impact on personal and academic development. These programs allow students to learn from different perspectives, hone critical and analytical thinking skills in a new academic environment, and train students to become more independent, adaptive, and open to other cultures, thereby enhancing personal quality. The opportunity to expand one’s horizons and build relationships is also an important point explaining why student exchange programs have a significant impact on personal development both as individuals and as students.

Finally, Nadia conveyed a message to her peers who are also pursuing opportunities to study in Japan to prepare with strong determination because the process is not easy and to actively seek information about exchange programs, such as those available through the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Another message Nadia shared is to never give up in pursuing opportunities that will become valuable life experiences.

“…Failure is not the end; it can be a lesson to try again with better preparation. And most importantly, never be afraid to try…”

[Public Relation of Japanese Literature FIB UGM, Yulia Agustiani]