COMPLETION REPORT
Examining Identity and Belonging of Youth Descendants of Japanese-IndonesianInternational Marriages Living in Japan and Indonesia: A Comparison
Nino Viartasiwi
Senior Research Fellow
Resilience Development Initiative
Title: Examining Identity and Belonging of Youth Descendants of Japanese-IndonesianInternational Marriages Living in Japan and Indonesia: A Comparison
The study examines the dynamic of identity negotiation of biethnic youths from Japanese-Indonesianmarriages focusing on the influence of complex cultural schemes, knitted social structures, familial
heritage and traditions, and attachment to society. The focus is the youths’ subjectivity and agency as
they embrace, resist, navigate and compromise their identity and belonging.
This study is qualitative research with in-depth interviews. The fieldworks were conducted in Japan in
two periods (on August and November 2019) and in Indonesia in seven periods (in the span of May toNovember 2019). In-depth interviews were conducted to 30 biethnic youths aged 13 to 23. The analysis
uses descriptive and interpretive methods.
The study finds that multiple contesting cultures during their formative years prompted biethnic youths
to be adaptive in their present group. Giving importance to the influence of cultural affiliation, culturalconnection to the other group, country of residence, current citizenship, education environment, parent’ssocial class, and religious affiliation, biethnic youth constantly negotiate and adjust their preference tobe acknowledged and accepted by their chosen group. In female interviewees. intersectionality issues
related to gender and gender roles brings complexity and bigger challenges in their identity formation.
This study concludes that biethnic youths, descendants of Japanese-Indonesian parents, create a thirdidentity of hybrid culture to secure an imaginary space for themselves in the society.

Future recommendation:
International marriages will be increasing in the future due to rapid migration (temporary and permanent),globalization, and technological advancement. Research on how to understand the potency of new
generation with global aspirations, viewpoints and identities should be prioritized. Also, research on how
to prepare the society to be more adaptive and inclusive.

Publication of the Results of Research Project:
Verbal Presentation (Date, Venue, Name of Conference, Title of Presentation, Presenter, etc.)1.
2.

May 17th, 2019. Pilar Data Research and Consulting. Pre-research workshop. Nino Viartasiwi.
December 21st, 2019. Pilar Data Research and Consulting. Research Findings Workshop. Nino Viartasiwi

Thesis (Name of Journal and its Date, Title and Author of Thesis, etc.)
A paper manuscript as the result of the research has been submitted to a Scopus-indexed international journal
focusing on identity studies on April 1st, 2020. However, up until the report is being made, the author (NinoViartasiwi) has not yet received further notice from the journal’s chief editor regarding the result of thesubmitted manuscript. The title of the submitted manuscript is: “Securing a Third Identity: The Influence ofCulture, Societal Structure and Mixed Heritage on Identity Negotiation of Biethnic Japanese-IndonesianYouths”
Book (Publisher and Date of the Book, Title and Author of the Book, etc.)