(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners in Japan held a series of activities from July 17-20, 2009, to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of practitioners peacefully protesting the persecution in China. The activities included clarifying the facts to the Congress, a press conference, a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy, a candlelight vigil, a rally, and a parade. Tokyo City Council Member Mr. Tsuchiya, human rights activist Mr. Ando Kan, and overseas Chinese attended the rally and parade.

Falun Gong practitioners hold a rally in Ebisu Park.

Practitioners from all over Japan and their supporters held a rally in Ebisu Park at noon on July 20. Tokyo City Council Member Mr. Tsuchiya gave a speech. He said that, as a neighbor of China, Japanese politicians and media should pay attention to the human rights conditions in China, especially the persecution of Falun Gong. He stated that he would work toward that end with everyone.

Tokyo City Council Member Mr. Tsuchiya

Tokyo's Edogawa District Council Member Ezoe Ryouiti

Human rights activist and Deputy Director of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, Asian Branch, Mr. Ando Kan

Mr. Su Ling, editor-in-chief of the Japan Xinhua Times

Falun Gong practitioners hold a parade in Tokyo.

Passersby take note of the Falun Gong parade.

Tokyo's Edogawa District Council Member Ezoe Ryouiti said he was encouraged by Falun Gong's activities to protest the persecution and wanted to show his support. He noted that, although ten years wasn't usually considered a long time, ten years of persecution was too long. He offered to work together with everyone to end the persecution.

Several other city council members also gave speeches to show their support.

Human rights activist and Deputy Director of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, Asian Branch, Mr. Ando Kan said in his speech, "I think the CCP's collapse is getting close. To end the persecution of Falun Gong, let's work together to disintegrate the CCP."

Mr. Su Ling, editor-in-chief of the Japan Xinhua Times, said he was driven by his conscience to step forward. He thought it was the power of their belief that made Falun Gong practitioners persevere in their peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy every day for the past ten years. They were the only people who could accomplish such a feat. He said that we can't underestimate the power of faith. He added, "It is important for us to safeguard everyone's freedom of belief. When Falun Gong is persecuted, no matter whether we practice Falun Gong or not, we all have the right and duty to step forward. I don't have to have the same belief or the same idea, but I will still protect your right. It is the only way we can safeguard the overall freedom of belief and have a free, democratic, and advanced society."

Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Yu Jia, former instructor at Qinghua University in China, recounted the persecution she and her family experienced. She was thrown into a forced labor camp for three years. She held a hunger strike to protest the persecution but was force-fed brutally. Her sister-in-law, Zhu Tong, was sentenced to prison for eleven years and was brutally tortured.

Chinese-Japanese Mr. Kurebayashi Mitsuhiro told about his brother, Xie Yuhuan, who was tortured and sentenced to ten years in prison.

Mr. Tsuruzono Masaaki listed the CCP's crimes against Falun Gong. He said Falun Gong practitioners around the world had been exposing the persecution over the past ten years and that more than fifty lawsuits have been filed against Jiang Zemin, who started the persecution, and his assistants. More and more organizations and individuals were speaking out for Falun Gong practitioners. He said that the only way to end the persecution was to disintegrate the CCP. He called for the Japanese government to work with other countries to stop the persecution and protect human rights.

Falun Gong practitioners held a two-hour parade starting from busy Ebisu Park. Many people, including tourists, were on the streets that day. The parade, with the invigorating Divine Land Marching Band, caught their attention. They took pictures of the parade and took informational fliers. Some asked for more information.

Some Chinese were among the parade spectators. A student from Fujian Province in China listened to practitioners' truth clarification and said that the CCP has always persecuted the people of China. He hoped to read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and learn more about Falun Gong.

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, have been undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 110 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Since the start of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.