Minister Denies Indonesian Migrant Workers Broke Laws in Japan

3 hours ago 2

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding, strongly denies recent reports claiming that three Indonesian citizens involved in legal cases in Japan are Indonesian migrant workers. He asserted that none of the three is part of the official migrant worker program.

"These three individuals are not migrant workers. One is an intern, and the others are regular Indonesian citizens, tourists," Karding said during a press briefing in Pekanbaru on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, as quoted by Antaranews.

This statement also serves to correct misinformation circulating on social media that suggested Japan would restrict access for Indonesian migrant workers due to these incidents.

According to him, the news about a ban on Indonesian migrant workers entering Japan is a hoax originating from irresponsible influencer posts. He believed the narratives these influencers have created have caused unfounded concerns and could potentially harm the future of thousands of prospective migrant workers.

"It's the actions of influencers who posted hoax information. We've coordinated with the Japanese government and the Indonesian Embassy, and the cases of these three individuals cannot be generalized as a portrayal of all Indonesian citizens in Japan," Karding emphasized.

He also reminded social media content creators to be more careful when spreading information. Inaccurate content, he noted, not only tarnishes the nation's good name but could also negatively impact labor acceptance policies in destination countries.

"We shouldn't let hundreds of thousands of potential Indonesian migrant workers become victims just because of three individuals. This is aggravated by posts with inaccurate data," he stressed.

Government's Response and Community Activities in Japan

The Indonesian government, through KP2MI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is currently handling the issue. All three individuals will undergo legal proceedings in Japan in accordance with the applicable laws there.

"Let Japanese law take its course. Here too, if possible, we will assist in ensuring they receive due legal process," Karding said.

This step is being taken to demonstrate that the government will not allow individual actions to tarnish the reputation of the entire Indonesian diaspora in Japan.

The issue of alleged legal violations by Indonesian citizens in Japan arose after a video of members of the Setia Hati Terate Brotherhood (PSHT) community went viral on social media.

The video showed several PSHT members gathering and displaying their organization's attributes in public spaces in Japan. This action triggered speculation that the community's behavior was prompting Japan to consider a ban on Indonesian citizens.

However, Muhammad Al Aula, Coordinator of the Social and Cultural Information Function at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, clarified that PSHT is one of 119 active Indonesian communities in Japan, which include religious organizations, hobby groups, and alumni associations.

"Culturally, Indonesian people like to gather according to their backgrounds," Al Aula explained.

He added that most of these community activities have obtained permission from local authorities and have been coordinated with the Japanese police.

As of now, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo has not received an official report from the Japanese authorities regarding legal violations by PSHT or any other Indonesian community groups. The PSHT has acknowledged mistakes related to flag-raising and activities on the streets and has conveyed apologies through the Indonesian Embassy.

"They have expressed their commitment to improve themselves, which is currently being and has been carried out," Al Aula confirmed.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo continues to urge all Indonesian citizens in Japan to maintain appropriate behavior, comply with social norms, and respect local laws and culture to avoid creating a negative perception among the Japanese public.

Adinda Jasmine contributed to the writing of this article.

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