September 3, 2024
JAKARTA – The Foreign Affairs Ministry is looking into allegations that a group of Indonesians, who are thought to be migrant workers, have formed a gang and caused public disturbances in Osaka, Japan.
“The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo and the Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka are currently investigating the truth and accuracy of the information, including communicating with Indonesian communities in Japan,” Foreign Ministry director for citizen protection Judha Nugraha said on Sunday, as quoted by Kompas.
“The Foreign Ministry continues to urge Indonesian people abroad to always obey local laws, including maintaining order and respecting the local culture,” he added.
Judha’s statement came after a series of videos depicting a group allegedly consisting of male Indonesian migrant workers went viral on various social media platforms. One video showed the group gathering along a busy street in Osaka and blocking the road.
In another video, a man could be seen riding a bicycle next to a shopping center while carrying a flag brandished with the group’s alleged name, “Pemulih Harga Diri” which roughly translates as “restorer of pride”.
The videos were thought to be posted by an Instagram account under the same name, although the account could no longer be found on the platform.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo also released a statement on Sunday urging Indonesians in Japan to follow local values, norms and the prevailing regulations to uphold public order in hopes of maintaining Indonesia’s good name on the global stage.
“Local authorities have the authority to take legal action against foreign nationals who violate public order or regulations in Japan,” the embassy said.