Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan for Everyone but for Africa, Yadah Yadah ....

LAST TIME WE TOUCHED ON JAPAN...

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

We will start here and TICAD much later.........

---

what is yadAH yadah?

George's new girlfriend explains things using 'Yada-yada' to gloss over things.

---

BEFORE WE START OUR STORY....

THE PAST OF JAPAN  & CULTURAL DIPLOMACY 

Cultural Diplomacy from Japan can be a touchy subject for the Asia Pacific Region. This Japan brings back memories of “Empire” and “War”. There is no soft power in this Japan below, this is pure Hard Power and Realism. Depending on you ask, Japan has never apologised for the war.  

“We are not going to apologize every year based on the new elected administration

We are not going to give funds for every new administration

We are not going to apologize for every former minister that speaks harshly about this topic

Take your statues down and then we can speak of shrine visits.”

— Japan to South Korea, China and the Asia Pacific Region

This tension will push Japan to go inside and not invest on Cultural Diplomacy because Japan is viewed through the lenses of this flag.
 

This flag was in use during the Edo period or Tokugawa period (徳川時代) about some 200+ years before the war.
However, it should be noted that this flag is controversial and painful for people of South Korea and China. Think the swastika for Germany, The Confederate Flag in America, Afrikaner Oranje, Blanje, Blou Flag of South Africa and Namibia.

This flag is a reminder of Colonialism and Imperialism.

DOES JAPAN'S DARK CULTURAL DIPLOMACY MATTER TO AFRICA?

There are three major players in Africa from Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, there is an unspoken competition between all three on just who can be the most influential friend for Africa but that will be addressed later with TICAD.

In 2013, there were some serious tensions brewing between China and Japan on the role of “influence” and “leadership” with ASEAN. China accused Japan for trying to “assert complete leadership” in the region. 

Just because Japan invested a tiny $1.5 billion into the ASEAN union and I forgot to mention the “soft loans” that topped over $500 million from Japan to Myanmar...... 

Japan has also made sure that with every natural disaster in the Asia Pacific region, before the U.N, International Red Cross, like this Sting song... It is first to help with recovery efforts.
 

I will touch more on ASEAN states later with this blog. The ASEAN way can also serve as a great platform for some African States. Here is a tiny bit about ASEAN.

This competitive relationship between the two is creeping into Africa. 

“So, you understand now that Korea and China would not mind if Japan was out of African Affairs.

There will be no wasabi tears to shed here..

But
This does not mean Korea is simply so happy with the presence of China in Africa.

However, China and Korea could care less for Japan in Africa and for that matter Asia Pacific Affairs.”

— Water & Cassava

COOL JAPAN TO THE WEST LOOKS LIKE

However as with most things (not all), time mends and shapes everything. Japan is now known for its own unique soft power known as Cool Japan. Cool Japan was birth in the 1980’s and since then we are all trying to keep up with the cool factors of Japan. Japan is cool in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia but Africa???

COOL JAPAN & AFRICA OR YADAH...

“... THE LACK OF RESPECT AND AWARENESS OF YOUR COUNTRY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TRANSLATES TO
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A MEMBER OF THE OTHER, aka “SUBALTERN”.”

— Water & Cassava

“Antonio Gramsci used this term to refer to people considered infererior be it race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.

This term is forever stamped in International Relations Theory because of an essay by Gayatri Spivak. She asked a simple question,
Can the Subaltern Speak?

This blog is about Africa and Asia, so I do not see a problem using this word in both spaces. I should note that academically, this word is getting a bit trendy and abused. ”

— Subaltern

At this point of the Water & Cassava Blog you are versed on Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy. But if you need a refresher, just go back to any Silk Road Thursday Entry or Cassava Tuesday entry. 

“A state’s public diplomacy is a direct response to its culture, foreign policy, and political ideologies.

These three elements drive attraction and create a unique soft power for the respective state.

All three elements must be present for the soft power effect to occur.

Cultural Diplomacy is a soft power tool that occurs during the long-term run while Public Diplomacy focuses on the short-term run of the country.”

— Understanding the complex ties with Japan and Africa through the lenses of China and Korea

Officially the name of the Japanese flag is called Nisshōki ("sun-mark flag"). Commonly people refer to the flag as Hinomaru ("circle of the sun").

AFRICA IN JAPAN POP CULTURE

SIDEBAR #1 : "SOFT CONNECTIONS" CHINA IN AFRICA.

While China's economic and trade impact on Africa has raised global attention, China also runs one of the world's largest short-term training programs. It also gives generous support to 31 Confucius Institutes teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture at many top universities in Africa. So what do Africans feel about the deliverables of China's soft power investment?

“Do you see the problem here? The China culture must be understood and learned but noticed the African leader not advocating that this street be a two-way street. 

Japan can use this as an entry tool to Africa. Korea and China still don’t understand this piece on diplomacy in Africa must be fluid. ”

JAPAN IN AFRICA CULTURE???

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa.  It is a yada-yada approach! The assumption here on both sides is, in the name of TICAD all will be great. Diplomacy must be fluid and Soft influences must go both ways. Majority of African leaders suffer from forms of the colonialism disease that range from early stages to fatal stages in development, so they do not invest in their “soft influences”. They have no problem absorbing other soft influences on the behalf of aid and relief. Africa has made no efforts to work on the art and execution of niche diplomacy in Asian spaces.

Culture is an extended arm in International Relations. A successful relationship between Africa and Japan will be expected for Japan not to downplay the role of culture and identity of Africans in Japanese spaces.

 

BUT JAPAN HAS AFRICAN FESTIVALS...

Festivals do not count per-se, because they are just extra pluses towards the city brand. It benefits cities in Japan that have “African themed festivals”, it shows the global stage, “Japan is DIVERSE!!”.

INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

International Relations can be best described today as Intercultural Relations. The U.S vs. West Asia is a great example on just how the lack of respect and appreciation of Intercultural Relations can bring countries to their knees.

The very definition of International Relations that is “relations with other nations” rests on the shoulders of that each country has unique traditions, social interactions, political dynamics, and intellectual orientations that make up the country. Japan must understand, with interactions towards any African country, it will go favorably if they start to pay attention to those shoulders.  

There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy between Africa countries and Japan. This is not unique to Japan because China and Korea do not value this or have no clue on a starting point. However, this gap could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. The neglect or underestimation of cultural diplomacy towards Africa by Japan hinders fluid relations but because China and Korea are guilty of this issue, Japan can use this as winning attribute to building on African Affairs.

some examples on how Japan can work on CD with Africa:

• Pop Culture
  Anime and Manga with African Myth and Folklore, Cool Japan!

• Academic
  Educational Exchanges that include professors and students from both spaces. So not just African students going to Japan for graduate studies but Japanese students and professors in Africa Academic spaces. This also means more African Professors and Deans in Japan universities that claim to teach Africa Affairs.
  

“If the Education Sector can appreciate the importance of “French Academics” teaching Francophone studies ....
Then it must have no problem understanding the importance of African Academics teaching African Studies”

• Blue Economics (Beyond Fish)

• AgriMarketing/ Agri-Economics

• “Experimental” Tourism

  LASTLY ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat rest on:-

• Do your “friends” and "neighbors" speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Does the global stage speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Are you humanitarian friendly? (Later on this piece)

Cultural Diplomacy is not about countries explaining their “self” onto the global stage. It is based on Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy. 

“Applying unique intelligence base on culture, history, identity, etc. to build and increase understanding with other countries while simultaneously working on your own interests. Multiple actors, cultural promoters are needed to get this point across....”

— Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy

JAPAN HAS A MEDIA PROBLEM IN AFRICA

Japan lacks international mass media presence on the global stage to promote its image. The United States has CNN and FOX. The UK has the BBC, but do you know the name of Japan’s international broadcasting channel???

Waiting……….

The NHK network could be key to setting up stronger ties to Africa. What better way to spread your message to your new friends using their language with their faces?

P.S NHK has a KiSwahili Channel but BBC has Pidgin, Hausa and so much more. NHK needs to pick up the pace. 

We leave you with this video of African artist, Dobolo based in Japan.

See you next Silk Road Thursday!

Cassava Tuesdays: Cape Verde

We will be back next Cassava Tuesday!

Our first Lusophone Country for Cassava Tuesdays will be Cape Verde. There is a reason for the use of Cape Verde and Cabo Verde.... Hrrrggggh, What is in a name? We will discuss next time!

Cape Verde has no Soft Power but there is potential to build on a brand thanks to their Blue Economy.

Are you aware that Cape Verde has the second-best education system in Africa?
 

We will start with Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral and end with the branding possibilities for this island country. 

In the meantime, please enjoy the legendary Barefoot Diva, Cesária Évo from Cape Verde

Cesária Évora - Sodade Official music video - corrected and better HD sound

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan and Africa

……MISSING IN ACTION

African Lab- The 1st Young Asian Africanist Camp

Better Together 2017 -World Culture Open Korea

....BACK TO COOL  JAPAN

We will discuss the soft power assets and possibilities of Japan in two series: Cultural Diplomacy and Aid.

You do understand how soft power works by now right? With this song by the Disco Gods...

Soft Power is understanding that attraction is key to get what you want and not by force. Countries are only as attractive to others based on culture, policies, and ideologies the country holds dear. 

EXPECTATIONS

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa. There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy of Africa countries and Japan, but this is not unique to Japan. However, this could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. Anime and Manga in Africa is not cool but infused some of African Myth and Folklore, I got you your Cool Japan!

See you next Silk Road Thursdays

Cassava Tuesdays: The Curious Case of The Republic of Botswana

President Ian Khama (He is living next year)

Map of Botswana

Capital: Gaborone
Languages Spoken: English, Tswana
Religion: Majority Christian
Prime Minister: Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

Bostwana Currency: Pula

“Bostwana is one of the 32 African countries that Baobab Trees call home. They can live for up to 5,000 years, reach up to 30 metres high and their trunks can hold up to 120,000 litres of water”

— Water & Cassava

Baobab Tree

Botswana Map and Flag colors

Botswana is home to 2.25 million people and is considered one of the safest countries in Africa with a stable democracy. It continues to rate low in global corruption scales. Botswana is a active member of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, Southern African Development Community (SADC), World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Baobab Fruit

“Botswana has a huge Metal Rock subculture. ”

— Water & Cassava : The more you know

There is something about Botswana that is just, yadi.. yadah. What is Yadi Yadah? I will let Seinfield & Co explain

“In 2013, Botswana started actively building on a National Brand Identity .........”

— Water & Cassava

BRANDING & BOTSWANA

ASSET #1: ATTRACTIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH & INVESTMENT

Botswana in 2013 started actively building on a national identity. The goal was to position itself as an economic force to be reckoned with, among neighboring giants such as Angola and South Africa. This brings us to asset #2.....

ASSET #2: TREAT YOUR POWERFUL NEIGHBOR WITH TLC  

Our friends in Botswana realize, when your neighbor is a middle power state that wheels regional and global diplomacy, you will need to be a very dear friend. As luck would have it, they both are home to the Tswana population. This mutual background and “power” allows South Africa to enjoy very lenient policies with Botswana:

    *No foreign exchange controls

    * Double Tax Avoidance agreement

ASSET #3: TOURISM SECTOR

Botswana's tourism sector continues to thrive amidst the country's stringent conservation policies and its growing elephant population. Our reporter Njanji Chauke and cameraman Sicelo Hlanula went on a river Safari at the Chobe National Park - home to Africa's largest elephant population For more news, visit: http://www.sabc.co.za/news

ASSET #4: REGIONAL PLAY- THE SPECIAL CASE OF CHOPPIES

Botswana's biggest supermarket is set to receive a boost. Choppies wants to widen its presence on the continent -- and increase the number of its stores to 250. It's eyeing southern and East Africa as potential markets. CGTN's Maria Galang has more.

....SOMETHING IS MISSING... 

Botswana looks great on paper but something just does not add up....

IMPROVEMENT #1: LEAVE THE DIAMONDS ALONE

Our theme for this section, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and that guy

suggestions: AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

IMPROVEMENT #2: MAY YOUR CURSE BE YOUR BLESSING

“The World Bank approved a $145.5 million loan to the Republic of Botswana for the Emergency Water Security and Efficiency Project. This will help Botswana cope with increased water stress, arising from a number of factors including chronic drought”

— World Bank, March 1 2017

“Adolescents and young adults constitute a large population that has been largely neglected and left behind by the national HIV response. HIV and AIDS services targeting adolescents and young adults are inadequate and often perceived by the beneficiaries as “unfriendly”. HIV testing and counselling uptake among adolescents has remained unacceptably slow;”

— UNAIDS

SUGGESTION: OPEN THE HEALTH SECTOR & EDUCATION FOR INVESTMENT

IMPROVEMENT #3: GO GREEN!!

Why can't the country send all the coal elsewhere?? Oh I will guess here, China!!! Though this blogger stays in Asia and could really appreciate cleaner air....Tswana people send away!!! In return, invest in solar panels. 

IMPROVEMENT #4: AIR BOTSWANA NEEDS HELP

As we have discussed earlier, the proper branding of a country needs a respected airline. The airline must be safe, attractive and must go to two locations first: Your neighbors and your business partners.  The airline needs a major makeover including getting out of the red fiscally. 

WE FOUND THE MISSING PIECE... 

Read this article below to understand just why it seems forced, like this piece I wrote

This snapshot of Botswana is frustrating because it is a country with so much opportunity. We brought up Botswana to show that a country can “ideally” look one way in theory (positively) but without a cohesive message it is just as bad as the other country. This circumstance is not unique to Botswana as majority of African countries underestimate the importance of Branding and Soft power.

Branding is not advertising, it is an ongoing process and government must be front and center of the brand. Citizens, Business Community, Non-profit organizations must all be part of the branding process. The committee must have a shared understanding of just what the country’s makeup is about be it culture, religion, tradition, location, nature, history (good and terrible). The brand of the country must speak to all the citizens and be fluent in all the positive elements that make up the entire nation.

Until next Cassava Tuesday
 

Cassava Tuesdays: Ugali meet Kimchi!“Can Kenya Soft Power extend pass Econmics in South Korea?”

Have some tea or coffee! Let's talk Kenyan....(Yes, people actually ask Kenyans "Do you speak Kenyan?")

THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

Now you know!!

Flag and Map of Kenya

Capital: Nairobi
Population: + 48 million people
Official Language Spoken: Swahili (KiSwahili) and English
Religion: Diverse Religions are practiced from Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judiasim
Currency: Shilling
President: Uhuru Kenyatta
Vice President: William Ruto

Kenyan Currency-Shilling

“Soft Power must be a fluid relationship, “I find you attractive and the other person says, me too!””

— Water & Cassava

THE PAST: THE TALE OF BOTH R.O. K’s

WAR & COLONIALISM: ABOVE THE EQUATOR LINE AND BELOW IT..

Both countries have experienced the brutality of colonialism. There are opinions, that view Japan to South Korea vs. Great Britain to Kenya as "different". This kind of thinking, which places hierarchy in the experiences of the severity in colonialism as “countries above the equator line” very bad but “countries below the equator line” it was not really….

It also promotes a form of “rationalize and marginalize” in the discussions of colonialism that allows for this space of the imaginary grey, I will call memory of the colonized. This colonized memory must also go through the process of decolonization otherwise it will just handicap and agitate the “modernization, growth and security” of these unique spaces as they interact with each other and the “global north spaces” promoters of “globalization, human rights and democracy”.  

Pali-Pali-(빨리빨리) meet Kwa Haraka

Education in South Korea just like working is 빨리빨리. This phrase in Korea makes up the very cells that hold this country together. It means more than hurry, like your very next breath depends on you carrying out the task at hand. Students in Korea have a school schedule that resembles an overworked professional in the country. It is beyond 8 hours and there is no such thing as paid overtime or after school extracurricular activities. This rigorous approach to education and competitiveness in getting into fields of technology and sciences play a huge factor to the differences between South Korea and Kenya.

Kwa Haraka (Kiswahili for Hurry )

In the case of Kenya there is no Kwa Haraka on the conversations of developing the brilliant young minds of Kenya. For so long similar regional or tribal backgrounds were the only qualifiers needed for employment. This blatant oversight will cripple Kenya and starve the growth and development of a country that as many other countries in Africa, suffers from brain drain.

Side bar

South Korea is also driven with sticking to certain cliques, that if young graduates are not from the S.K.Y universities, it is extremely difficult or impossible to work for certain companies.
Seoul National University
Korea University
Yonsei University

Despite such rapid development in many sectors of society, South Korea still struggles with diversity inclusion. In the conversations of Africa & South Korea, it is also the responsibility of African states to promote their brand and educate the Korean public. 

Sidebar: This is why ESE & SEGYE is greatly needed, like the chili paste to the 떡볶이 떡 (Tteok-bokki)

“Just explaining, the story of two students that attended the same primary and secondary school. Their approach to higher education, saw one working 40+ hours, interning 20 hours, and graduating on time! This allowed for the enjoyment of their fruits of hard labor, after graduation. The other underestimated such a rigorous schedule and now must work thrice as hard to enjoy the fruits of their labor.”

— Water & Cassava

“Did you know: Kenya had a higher GDP than South Korea in 1962. In 1963, Kenya gave out a $10,000 loan and relief food to South Korea.”

— Ugali Diplomacy (Water & Cassava)

Both countries have strong economies but lack career opportunities for the younger generation. Current President Kenyatta and Moon have expressed passionate pleas to change this dilemma. We shall all see!

However, this 빨리빨리 mentality of Koreans, has propelled a poor G-77 country to the incredible nation that is the Republic of South Korea.  The R.O.K is a member of G-20, N-11, OECD and APEC. This 빨리빨리 mentality will introduce the world to Kimchi Diplomacy!.

UGALI DIPLOMACY

This is Ugali- This also means love. 

UGALI ECONOMICS SOFTPOWER-
KENYA & SOUTH KOREA 2016

Soft Power has many faces, for the country of Kenya it is stable economic policies. It is clear from our videos below, Korea loves ugali! Kenya keeps hegemony throughout the East Africa Region and plays the role of peace promoter and advocate for open markets. 
Kenya is a major player in regional bodies such as: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East Africa Community(EAC), WTO (World Trade Organization) and so many other organizations that contribute to shaping out ugali economics soft power. 

Kenya could teach a thing or two to African leaders that enjoy the glory of visiting foreign nations and those foreign leaders visiting their countries but does nothing for their image. 

Regional & Neighborly Stage of Diplomacy

“July 2015, Kenya played host to U.S President Barack Obama(Superpower state) during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Nairobi. ”

— Pres. Kenyatta making use of Ugali Diplomacy (Middle Power State Diplomacy) Water & Cassava

To understand more on the importancec of the Global Entreprenuership Summit:

Global Stage of Diplomacy (On

You must always lend a helping hand to those that have nothing, this is middle power state diplomacy at work, notice Kenya is the only African country on the list. I told you Ugali is love!

한-케냐 정상회담.. 한국형 산업단지, KAIST 수출된다 We begin in Nairobi where President Park Geun-hye is slowly wrapping up her tour of the African continent. Today, she sat down with her Kenyan counterpart where the two leaders agreed to cooperate on Kenya's massive infrastructure projects especially in the energy sector.

한-케냐 경제교류 The president's trip to Kenya is also expected to elevate their economic cooperation to the next level. For more on the potential of the Kenyan market and where the two countries stand in terms of economic relations, Kim Min-ji reports. Kenya is East Africa's economic heavyweight.

Rand Merchant Bank’s (RMB) seventh edition of Where to Invest in Africa was released September of this year and Kenya was #6. 

UGALI SAY HI TO KIMCHI, 안녕

Kenya fails in the section of branding towards South Korea and for that matter Asia! I mean Koreans drink Kenyan coffee and that is it. I am afraid Kenya underestimates the power of a brand and the role it can play in preserving "ugali soft power".  

Here are some soft power tools available for Kenya towards Korea.

1. Tusker Beer
The beer's slogan is "Bia yangu, Nchi yangu" means "My beer, My country" in Kiswahili. Look at you, reading it in Kiswahili! 
Easy promotion with this here, you don't even have to try! The way Koreans enjoy a beer, I think this could even be used as a bridge to build on inter-cultural relationships between the two. 
Did you know: You can buy Tusker in the U.K. Yup at Sainsbury's, I swear you can honestly find anything at a local Sainsbury's

Kenyan Beer-Tusker

It would be criminal not to post this very famous Tusker commerical! Don't you just want to get on a Kenyan Airways flight? 

Tusker Beer

2. The Giraffe Manor
You are welcome!
 

Giraffe Manor, Gogo Falls Road, Nairobi, Kenya

3. Gastrodiplomacy
Perharps a Kenyan Pub that offers Nyamachoma in Seoul? 

Nyamachoma- Very popular dish in Kenya (roasted beef)

Mandazi, you have not tried this? Poor you. (Pub Food and everyday food here)

4. Beach Tourism 

The Sands at Nomad offers you the ultimate beach getaway. A combination of discretion, tranquility and warmth with the privilege of Kenya's best beach. Nestled into 26 Acres of pristine coastal forest The Sands at Nomad steps away from the traditional block hotel concept, into an atmosphere of space, freedom and personal care.

5. Safari Tourism
Partnering up with local universities... Nah, that is why you should contact our mother company, ESE & SEGYE. 

Wildlife expert Saba Douglas-Hamilton and family move to the romantic Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya to run a safari lodge for the first time. This wild, remote and rugged region is on the frontline of conservation and the battle to protect Africa's big five from poachers is heating up.

6.Kenyan Airways
Unfortunately, Kenya has still not grasped the power in this tool

Considering visiting Kenya? Only one way to fly!

See you next Cassava Tuesday!