Japanese Research on Linguistics, Literature, and Culture
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026): May

Adaptation of omotenashi service standards among Indonesian internship students as floorwalkers at ANA Narita

Bertha Vallencia Hermawan (Bahasa dan Sastra Jepang, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia)
Nunuk Endah Srimulyani (Universitas Airlangga)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 May 2026

Abstract

This study examines the process of adaptation and internalization of omotenashi values among Indonesian internship students working as floorwalkers at Narita International Airport, Japan. Previous studies on omotenashi have generally focused on professional workers, while studies highlighting internship students as subjects in the transitional phase of workplace culture learning are still limited. This study uses a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods through participatory observation and in-depth interviews during a one-year internship period (January-December 2025). The results show that the internalization of omotenashi takes place in three phases, namely adjustment, development, and internalization. In the initial stage, omotenashi is understood as a technical procedural standard, but gradually develops into a situational, reflective, and anticipatory service ethic. This process involves not only language proficiency, but also the formation of contextual sensitivity in Japan's high-context communication culture. This research positions omotenashi not as an inherent and exclusive cultural value, but as a cultural practice that can be learned and negotiated by cross-cultural individuals through continuous work interactions. These findings expand the study of Japanese work culture, intercultural adaptation, and the formation of professional identity in the context of the global service industry.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jrllc

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities

Description

Japanese Research on Linguistics, Literature, and Culture is an academic, open access, and peer-reviewed journal founded and first published in 2018 by the Japanese Department Universitas Dian Nuswantoro, Semarang. Focusing on Japanese linguistics, literature, and culture as it is viewed from one or ...