Indonesia Enhances Services and Protection for Citizens in Japan

RRI.CO.ID, Tokyo – The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Tokyo held a Public Consultation Forum with Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Japan to improve public services and protection for Indonesian citizens. The forum, held at the KBRI Tokyo building on Saturday (August 29), was attended by a number of Indonesian citizens and discussed various issues faced by Indonesians while living and working in Japan.

Coordinator for Protocol and Consular Affairs at KBRI Tokyo Dara Yusilawati said the forum provided an opportunity for Indonesian citizens to directly convey their input, criticism, and aspirations regarding public services and protection.

“We held this forum to improve public services and protection for Indonesian citizens in Japan through direct dialogue, allowing us to receive constructive input, feedback, and criticism regarding KBRI Tokyo’s public services,” Dara said in a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

She said the forum also aimed to hear directly about the challenges faced by Indonesian citizens while living and working in Japan, including how KBRI Tokyo could help address these issues.

The number of Indonesian citizens living in Japan has continued to increase significantly in recent years. According to data as of December 2025, more than 260,000 Indonesians were living in Japan.

During the forum, participants discussed the importance of effective communication between KBRI Tokyo and Indonesian citizens through social media, closer cooperation with Indonesian communities, and a reporting system through KBRI Tokyo’s hotline, particularly for emergencies and employment-related issues.

Dara also emphasized the importance of additional insurance for Indonesian workers in Japan to mitigate risks, including incidents that require substantial costs to repatriate the remains of Indonesian citizens to Indonesia.

“This insurance will be very helpful when a tragedy occurs, particularly in the event of death, which requires significant costs to repatriate the remains to Indonesia,” she said.

Regarding workplace issues, Dara urged Indonesian citizens who experience violations, violence, or bullying not to hesitate to report them to the local police.

“Many of our citizens working in Japan, when they experience violence or bullying in the workplace, are afraid to report it to the police. Don’t be afraid. Such reports are very important to break the cycle of violence,” she said.

KBRI Tokyo has also continued to expand its online consular services. Several documents can be submitted through Letter Pack delivery services, allowing Indonesians living far from Tokyo to access services without having to visit the embassy in person.

However, some services still require physical attendance, including passport applications, Emergency Passports (SPLP), KTP biometric data recording, marriage ceremonies, and premarital interviews.

KBRI Tokyo Immigration Attaché, Andro Eka Putra, said immigration services also include registration for children with dual citizenship and the provision of immigration facilities in the form of an Affidavit for children with limited dual citizenship.

Meanwhile, Eka Dian Pratiwi, a representative of the Indonesian Muslim Nurses Association (IPMI) Japan, appreciated the forum for providing Indonesian citizens with an opportunity to directly convey their aspirations to KBRI Tokyo.

She hoped KBRI Tokyo would improve the dissemination of service-related information through social media and expand collaboration with Indonesian communities in Japan.

“Information dissemination through social media regarding public service content needs to be improved. KBRI Tokyo should also further strengthen collaboration with various communities to provide information and raise awareness among all Indonesians in Japan,” Eka said.

A similar view was expressed by Sastra Wijaya of the Indonesian Trainee Brotherhood Association Japan (IPTJ). He said Indonesians who have recently started working in Japan need information about various services, including passport applications and reporting employment-related problems.

“Indonesians who have just started working in Japan really need information, such as how to apply for a passport, report workplace problems, and so on. Thank you for holding this forum,” Sastra said.