TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -The number of Indonesians living in Japan has surged in recent years. Based on data from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, as of December 2024, the number of Indonesian citizens in the Land of the Rising Sun reached 199,824 people. This figure has drastically increased from previous years—around 149,000 people in 2023 and 198,000 in 2022.
This population growth is accompanied by greater scrutiny against several law violations involving Indonesian citizens.
"Despite our efforts, crimes committed by Indonesians have indeed increased," said the Coordinator of Social and Cultural Information Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Muhammad Al Aula, to Tempo, Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
But these violations—according to the communication between the embassy, immigration, and police authorities in Japan—are relatively minor in comparison.
"Without justifying the crimes committed, the violations by Indonesian citizens are not as significant as those committed by other foreigners in Japan," he said.
What Crimes Are Indonesian Citizens Committing in Japan?
Al Aula mentioned three types of violations commonly committed by Indonesian citizens. "There are several cases of theft, criminal cases involving violence, and those linked to illicit drugs," he said.
Although these violations occur, there are still no official data stating that the violations Indonesians committed dominate the foreign crime statistics.
"We have not yet consolidated data regarding the increased number of Indonesians in Japan linked to the surge in crimes committed by Indonesian citizens," said Al Aula.
PSHT Community Draws Attention
Amid the surge of Indonesians living in Japan, Indonesian communities are also growing. There are approximately 119 communities spread across various regions in Japan thus far, formed based on ethnic similarities, religion, hobbies, and school alumni.
One that has recently drawn attention is the silat martial arts community, the Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT), whose outdoor activities seem to be popular on social media.
They were seen gathered with distinctive attributes and waving flags, raising concerns and speculations about the potential ban on Indonesian citizens in Japan.
However, according to Al Aula, there have been no official reports from Japanese authorities to the Indonesian embassy stating that Indonesian groups, including the silat community, have breached the law.
Responding to the viral sensation, Al Aula said PSHT has clarified and apologized for their actions. "They also committed to make improvements," he said.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo also noted that there are eight silat groups currently operating in Japan, and they regularly hold training and activities, both indoors and outdoors.
Preventive Measures by the Indonesian Embassy
The Indonesian embassy, said Al Aula, regularly holds town hall meetings and counseling for Indonesian citizens to prevent criminal activities among the diaspora.
Additionally, the embassy also partners with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, police, and local immigration offices to disseminate legal messages and cultural norms to Indonesian citizens.
However, Al Aula admitted that these measures are not sufficient. "They must be strenghten continuously, developed with various innovations that may reach more Indonesian citizens in Japan," he said.
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