Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This commitment was manifested through an activity titled Indonesia and Japan Cross-Culture Understanding, held from May 31 to June 7, 2025, in Hokkaido, Japan.
The initiative was led by Heni Hernawati, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., a lecturer in the Japanese Language Education Program at the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS) UNNES. On this occasion, she delivered a cross-cultural presentation at the office of PT Yamazaki Sangyou Koueki Co., Ltd. in Kushiro City, Hokkaido, and conducted monitoring of UNNES students undertaking internships at several hotels in the region.
The monitoring activities took place at three partner hotels: Mahoroba Hotel and Mizu no Uta Hotel in Noboribetsu City, and The Forest Akan Tsuruga Resort in Akan City. The program aimed to strengthen cross-cultural understanding between Indonesia and Japan, particularly in the context of the hospitality industry.
The presentation covered a range of topics that are often culturally sensitive and may lead to misunderstandings if not properly addressed, including religious values, waste management culture, time discipline, work ethics, and daily social customs. The objective was to foster mutual understanding and reduce potential cross-cultural conflicts.
During the monitoring sessions, Heni Hernawati engaged in discussions with hotel management, representatives of PT Yamazaki Sangyou Koueki, and the UNNES student interns to bridge cultural differences and enhance the overall quality of the internship program.
According to Heni, building cross-cultural dialogue is a vital step toward achieving SDG 17.
“Indonesia and Japan Cross-Culture Understanding serves as a bridge to overcome differences. Through this process, we learn not only to understand one another but also to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for culture, the service industry, and global peace,” she stated.
Through this initiative, UNNES aims to foster international collaboration and reinforce the role of higher education in building a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.
Contributor: Heni Hernawati
