November 3rd, 2002
Consulate General of Japan
Consul General Abe
601 Union Street, Suite #500
Seattle, WA 98101
Dear Consul General Abe:
We are writing to you regarding an issue of grave concern. The life of Japanese permanent resident and Falun Gong practitioner Yoko Kaneko is hanging in the balance as she awaits justice in Beijing Daxing Women's Labor Camp. We ask your kind assistance on Kaneko's behalf in appealing to the Chinese government for her immediate and unconditional release.
Falun Gong is a peaceful meditation practice that is based on truthfulness, compassion and tolerance that has benefited people all over the world, including in Japan and Washington State. Since it began in 1999, the persecution against Falun Gong by Jiang Zemin's regime in China has reached a scope and severity of alarming proportions. It is a persecution that directly violates the Chinese constitution, international humanitarian law, and the basic human moral conscience.
On June 17 of this year, Kaneko was arrested with two other Japanese Falun Gong practitioners while peacefully handing out information about Falun Gong in Beijing, China. The two other women were released shortly afterwards, but Kaneko was held and sentenced to 18 months of labor re-education without trial. The only crime she is being charged with is distributing materials that reveal the truth about China's persecution of Falun Gong.
Japan is a country that has shown a deep commitment to upholding and supporting the human rights of people all over the world. Washington State and Japan have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship as friends and partners in the international community. As a friend, we would like to ask for your support in securing the release of Yoko Kaneko and ensuring her safe return home to her husband in Japan.
Enclosed please find a brief summary of Yoko Kaneko's case. We appreciate the generous support that the Japanese government has shown in advocating for Kaneko's release thus far. Please consider adding the Japanese Consular Association of Washington State to the list of Japanese government officials who have clearly asked the Chinese government to release Kaneko.
Sincerest Regards,
A Concerned Falun Gong Practitioner in Washington State
cc: Japan American Society of Washington State