Mohamad Na’im, Jefri Rieski Triyanto, Mukhamad Zulianto, Dimas Anggoro
This study examines the use of theatre during the Japanese occupation period as a medium for creating a more reflective and engaging history-learning experience. In many classrooms, the topic of the Japanese occupation in Indonesia is commonly taught through textbooks and teacher-centered explanations that emphasize political and economic aspects. As a result, cultural dimensions, such as the use of theatre as a propaganda tool during the occupation period, are rarely discussed in history education. This study aims to explore how theatre from the Japanese occupation era can be used as a pedagogical resource to help students understand the mechanisms of propaganda and power relations during that period. This research employed a qualitative case study approach involving 33 eleventh-grade students from a senior high school in Jember, Indonesia. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with students, and document analysis of historical drama scripts used in classroom role-playing activities. The findings show that students initially had a limited understanding of theatre as a propaganda medium during the Japanese occupation. However, through role-playing activities, students recognized how performing arts were used to shape public opinion and communicate ideological messages. This study highlights the potential of arts-based learning in history education to deepen students’ historical understanding and foster critical awareness of propaganda in historical contexts. © 2026, Universitas Negeri Semarang. All rights reserved.
Universitas Jember, Indonesia; National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan; Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia
