Angklung Masuk Dalam Kurikulum Pembelajaran Gifu Special Needs School Jepang

Angklung handover to Gifu Special Needs School. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Tokyo)

JAKARTA - The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Japan, Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, appreciates the inclusion of angklung in the learning curriculum at one of the educational institutions in Japan, stressing the commitment of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo to facilitate collaboration between the two countries in promoting Indonesian cultural arts.

Ambassador Kartini explained that one of the approaches in Indonesian diplomatic work is people to people contact through direct interaction between people across countries such as artists, academics, and so on.

This is a major pillar of Indonesian public diplomacy to strengthen the positive image of the nation and strengthen friendship between countries.

He said this in response to the strengthening of inclusive education cooperation between Indonesia and Japan through a grant of a set of traditional angklung musical instruments to the Gifu Special Needs School, Japan from the University of Education Indonesia (UPI) with the presence of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.

"Angklung, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage, not only has artistic value but also contains the philosophy of mutual cooperation, tolerance, and togetherness," explained Ambassador Kartini in the statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, as quoted (15/7).

Angklung handover to Gifu Special Needs School. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Tokyo)

"The use of angklung in inclusive education is a real example of how culture can be a medium for learning character and at the same time strengthen relations between nations," he continued.

"With the inclusion of Angklung learning as part of the curriculum of the Gifu Special Needs School, it is a strong proof of the people to people contact of friendship between Indonesia and Japan, especially ahead of the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2028," said Ambassador Kartini.

The handover activity took place online between UPI campus and Gifu Special Needs School and the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, on Monday, July 6, 2021.

The handover of the angklung is a form of appreciation from the University of Education Indonesia for the success of the Gifu Special Needs School which, starting in the 2026 academic year, officially included the angklung in the music learning curriculum at the secondary school level.

This step makes Gifu Special Needs School one of the special needs schools in Japan that utilizes Indonesian culture as a learning medium to develop the motoric, social, communication, and cooperation skills of students.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo is always committed to facilitating collaboration between the two countries in promoting Indonesian art and culture in Japanese society," he explained.

Meanwhile, UPI Rector Didi Sukyadi, expressed his pride in the development of angklung learning at Gifu Special Needs School.

"I feel very proud to know that starting this year, angklung has become part of the curriculum of the Gifu Special Needs School for second and third grade students of high schools in the Gifu Special Needs School," explained Didi Sukyadi.

"In the future, I believe that angklung will be included in the music curriculum for first-year high school students, junior high school students, and elementary school students. The sound of angklung will be heard from all special needs schools in Gifu Prefecture and spread from special needs schools and schools throughout Japan," he continued.

"This musical instrument is not meaningful enough if it is only shaken by 1 child, but when it is played by shaking it together with all the children, it will foster inclusiveness and harmony in diversity (Bhineka Tungal Ika) in the hearts of all children," said Didi Sukyadi.

In turn, the Head of the Gifu Special Needs School, Sachi Sumi, expressed high appreciation to UPI for the grant.

"Children really enjoy learning to use the angklung. This instrument is easy to play, helps them understand the rhythm, and allows all students to play music together," he said.

A similar thing was conveyed by Yukihiro Saitoh from the Gifu City Board of Education who assessed that angklung is not only a media for learning music, but also a media for learning character.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Yoshitaka Suzuki from Gifu University said that Angklung can connect special needs education not only between Indonesia and Japan, but also around the world.

"In the extraordinary world of education, teaching music can be a challenge in itself because children with special needs sometimes have difficulty playing complex musical instruments," explains Assistant Professor Yoshitaka Suzuki.

Angklung handover to Gifu Special Needs School. (Source: Embassy of Japan in Tokyo)

"I believe the angklung is an inclusive instrument and I want to include it in the special education curriculum in more amazing schools in Japan. I want to work hard in angklung activities with the Indonesian people, for the sake of children with disabilities," he added.

The success of the implementation of angklung at Gifu Special Needs School is the result of a sustainable collaboration that has been built between the University of Education Indonesia, Gifu University, Gifu Special Needs School, Gifu City Board of Education, and various education partners in Japan since 2022.

In the field of culture, the Cultural Technical Implementation Unit (UPI) has consistently strengthened cultural diplomacy through angklung learning, art workshops, cultural exchanges, teacher training, and various Indonesian art performances in Japan.

Previously, one training was held in 2022, increasing to three trainings in 2023, five trainings in 2024, and eight trainings throughout 2025.

All these activities aim to introduce angklung as a learning medium as well as strengthen the understanding of the Japanese people about Indonesian culture.

Various activities were initiated by alumni of the Bumi Siliwangi Family Student Activity Unit (UKM KABUMI) UPI, Ardian Sumarwan together with the UPI team through collaboration with Gifu University, Chubu Gakuin University, special needs schools, and local governments in Gifu Prefecture.

One of the important achievements in 2025 is the delivery of material regarding angklung learning in front of more than 500 special needs school teachers from seven prefectures in Japan.

Entering 2026, the collaboration continues to be expanded through the participation of the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia coaching team in various international cultural festivals and performances in Gifu, Toyota, and Nagoya. These activities are part of the promotion of Indonesian performing arts as well as introducing angklung as a learning medium that supports inclusive education.