JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry is looking into allegations that some Indonesians, 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,” Mr Judha Nugraha, director for citizen protection at the Foreign Ministry, said on Sept 1, as quoted by news outlet 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.

Mr 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 shows the group gathering along a busy street in Osaka and blocking the road.

In another video, a man can be seen riding a bicycle next to a shopping centre while carrying a flag printed with the group’s alleged name “Pemulih Harga Diri”, which roughly translates as “restorer of pride”.

The videos are thought to have been 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 Sept 1 urging Indonesians in Japan to follow local values, norms and the prevailing regulations to uphold public order.

“Local authorities have the authority to take legal action against foreign nationals who violate public order or regulations in Japan,” the embassy said. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK