A single death in Jakarta this summer has sparked a transnational movement among Indonesians in Japan. From Hiroshima to Tokyo, diaspora communities are expressing support for compatriots back home and building solidarity online and offline. The killing of 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan ignited nationwide protests against police brutality and government neglect.
A demonstration against economic disparity in Indonesia escalated into nationwide protests following an incident in Jakarta on August 28. The 21-year-old motorcycle driver, Affan Kurniawan, was killed by a police vehicle during a rally decrying an income raise for parliament members. Like most Indonesians living abroad, many first learned of Affan Kurniawan’s death online.
Thousands of miles from home, Indonesians in Japan are building networks of activism and art, opening new dialogues on politics and cultural identity. From Hiroshima to Tokyo, Indonesian diaspora communities are expressing support for compatriots back home and fostering solidarity both online and offline.
This transnational movement, incited by a single death, highlights growing political engagement among the diaspora. What began as a protest against economic inequality exploded into broader outrage over police brutality and government neglect, resonating with expatriates in Japan.