Gomu Gomu no culture: One Piece and Japan’s Cultural Diplomacy | Gomu Gomu no Culture: One Piece e a diplomacia cultural do Japão
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/rmi.2025.91029Keywords:
Japan, Cultural Diplomacy, One PieceAbstract
This article analyzes the anime One Piece as an instrument of Japan's cultural diplomacy and soft power, linking it to the concepts of nation branding and the governmental policy Cool Japan. It is based on the argument that culture constitutes a strategic asset for Japan’s international engagement, contributing to the construction of a global image as a developed, innovative, and culturally attractive country. The study adopts a qualitative methodology focused on examining the trajectory of Japanese cultural diplomacy and conducting a case study of One Piece. Through critical narratives and universal values, the anime functions as a symbolic and political vector of international projection. The analysis shows that One Piece has been successfully mobilized in initiatives such as the Kumamoto Revival Project and Netflix’s live-action adaptation, highlighting the role of culture as a tool for influence, symbolic reconstruction, and the strengthening of Japan’s image on the global stage.
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