JAKARTA: Indonesian migrant workers in Japan are grappling with rising negative stigma, following viral incidents involving a small subset of the Indonesian community that have drawn criticism from the Japanese public.
Members of the Indonesian martial arts organisation Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT) in Japan have recently sparked attention online for parading in large formations while wearing matching black uniforms and displaying organisational flags in prominent public areas without prior permission.
The group’s actions triggered backlash on social media, with Japanese users commenting critically on the behaviour of some Indonesians in their country.
Meanwhile, Indonesians living in Japan have voiced concern over the broader impact these actions have had on the diaspora’s public image. “I’ve been in Japan since 1992, and back then, these kinds of incidents simply didn’t exist,” said Surya Darma, a 57-year-old Indonesian working for a private company in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, on Saturday (Aug 2).
Surya added, alongside the parades, recent crimes involving Indonesian nationals, including robbery and drug offences, have led to increased scrutiny from locals.
“When I tried to rent an apartment recently, I was asked questions like ‘Why are you moving?’ or ‘How long have you been in Japan?’ in a tone that felt accusatory,” he said. “That didn’t happen three years ago.”
In response to the controversy, the Indonesian Embassy in Japan summoned PSHT representatives in late June to issue a public apology. The group clarified that the incidents in question happened nearly three years ago but promised to seek permits from local authorities before organising any future events.
The Foreign Ministry, in the same release, reminded all “Indonesian citizens abroad to comply with applicable regulations and respect the culture of their host country.”
The backlash came amid heightened nationalist sentiment in Japan, particularly following the recent House of Councillors election. The far-right political party Sanseito, known for its “Japanese First” rhetoric, won 14 seats in the vote, up from just one in 2022 and three last year.
Annisa Setyarti Putri, a 30-year-old Indonesian digital marketer in Tokyo, said that while her daily life remains mostly unaffected, the political atmosphere has grown more tense.
“In my workplace, which has an international environment, I’ve never experienced direct discrimination. But outside of that bubble, I have noticed increasing anti-immigrant sentiment, especially among young people below 40 who support [Sanseito], which frankly surprised me,” she told The Jakarta Post.
Further fuelling unease were circulating rumours that Japan would halt the intake of Indonesian migrant workers by 2026. The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo swiftly dismissed the claims.
“There is no such policy from the Japanese government,” the embassy said in a statement dated July 15. “This issue has not been part of any official discussion between the Japanese and Indonesian governments.”
The embassy also reaffirmed that nearly 200,000 Indonesians reside in Japan as of December last year, a 15 per cent increase over the previous six months. The majority are employed across various sectors, while over 7,000 are university students.
“The 67-year-long bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Japan has been remarkably successful. This relationship must be continuously maintained and strengthened by all stakeholders, both the governments and the people of both countries,” the statement concluded.
Triyono, a labour expert from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), noted that Japan’s aging population and dire labour shortages present Indonesia with a “golden opportunity”.
However, he stressed, the chance can only be seized if Indonesian workers are viewed as respectful and well-integrated.
“Workers need to be equipped not just with technical and language ability, but also cultural understanding,” he said. “They represent Indonesia, and even one misstep can affect the reputation of the entire community.” - The Jakarta Post/ANN
