The Appeal of Japan's Pop Culture: The Role of Drama, Anime, and Music in Learning Japan

Japan's pop culture, including drama, anime, and music, has a strong global appeal and has become a major entry point for many people to learn Japan. This study examines how these elements of pop culture affect interest and motivation in learning Japan. The main objective of the study was to analyze the extent to which Japan drama, anime, and music can increase students' interest in learning and engagement in learning Japan, as well as to understand the factors that influence such engagement. The research method used is a qualitative approach with data collection through surveys, in-depth interviews, and content analysis from various Japan pop culture media. The results show that Japan drama, anime, and music significantly increase students' motivation to learn Japan, especially through the introduction of new vocabulary, better pronunciation, and a deeper understanding of the culture. In addition, identification factors with characters or situations in dramas and anime, as well as interest in song lyrics, also play an important role in increasing student engagement. This research emphasizes the importance of integrating elements of Japan's pop culture in the Japan language learning curriculum to increase effectiveness and attract students more broadly.