Final Laughter of Bangli Migrant Worker in Japan Before Death by Hanging

INK was deeply shocked when he received news of the death of his beloved daughter, Putu AMW (18). The Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI) reportedly died in an unnatural manner, allegedly by hanging herself in the place where she was working, in the city of Kagoshima, Japan.

INK recalled Putu’s last conversation with her younger sister before the tragic news arrived. Two days before she was found dead, Putu had been joking and laughing with her sister over the phone. Unexpectedly, that was the last laughter and joking they would share.

“I received news from LPK (Job Training Institute) Hishou that my daughter died on Saturday, 16 August 2026,” said Putu’s father, INK, when met by detikBali at the family home in Banjar Palaktiying, Bangli District, on Monday (24/8/2026).

INK said his daughter had been given the opportunity to work in Japan since 1 July. Putu worked at a chicken meat processing company in the Land of the Rising Sun.

While working in Japan, Putu lived in a dormitory or apartment provided by the company. She shared the accommodation with a colleague from Singaraja, Buleleng Regency.

“She lived with a workmate, also a woman from Singaraja,” said INK.

INK said his daughter had not even been working for a full month at the Japanese company. During her first two weeks in Kagoshima, Putu had to undergo training and quarantine.

Two days before her death, the eldest of two siblings had communicated with her younger sister in Bali. According to INK, Putu did not mention any problems during the conversation. Putu had been contracted to work in Japan for one year and three months.

“There was no history of illness. There were no problems at all. Two days earlier, she had spoken on the phone with her sister. They joked and laughed together,” INK added.

INK explained that the repatriation of Putu’s body is currently being processed by the Bali Provincial Manpower and Energy and Mineral Resources Office and LPK Hishou. However, he has not yet received information about the flight schedule for Putu’s body from Japan to Bali.

“I have not received any information about when the repatriation will begin. But they said it is being processed,” said INK.

“Regarding the cause of death, I have also not been given a detailed explanation,” he continued.

The Head of Public Relations of Bangli Police, First Inspector I Gede Gumiliarta, said Putu’s death was only discovered when company management noticed that she had not come to work. Calls to Putu’s phone number also went unanswered.

According to Gumiliarta, the door to Putu’s apartment room was locked when company management arrived. Putu’s colleague then forced the door open. When the door was opened, Putu was found lifeless.

“The victim was found dead by hanging in her dormitory,” said Gumiliarta.

Gumiliarta said the suspected suicide case is still being investigated by the police authorities in Japan. There has been no official statement from Japanese authorities regarding the motive for the suspected suicide.

“There is no official information from the Japanese government regarding the motive and cause,” Gumiliarta added.