(Minghui.org) On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ordered the persecution of Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual discipline with the core tenets of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.
According to available data from Minghui.org, as of July 21, 2022, 4,828 practitioners were confirmed to have died as a result of the persecution. However, due to the CCP’s strict information censorship, the actual death toll, especially the killing of practitioners for their organs, is expected to be much higher.
Since the onset of the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners outside of China have been holding various activities in July every year to raise awareness about the persecution and express their support for their counterparts in China.
This year, eleven former and current elected officials in Japan expressed their support for Falun Gong practitioners and condemned the persecution. They called on the general public in Japan to pay more attention to the issue and vowed to work with practitioners in ending the persecution soon. Below are excerpts from their statements.
Takao Miida, member of the Liberal Democratic Party
Takao Miida, member of the Liberal Democratic Party, said that Falun Gong practitioners have been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party and have been resisting the persecution for twenty-three years. In his capacity, he has been working with practitioners in Japan in counteracting the persecution. He called on more Japanese people and people around the world to learn the facts about the persecution. He also vowed to continue fighting side by side with the practitioners against the communist regime’s tyranny.
Takashi Nagao, Former Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office
Takashi Nagao, Former Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office, remarked that the 23-year persecution is something all Japanese and everyone else in the world must face and remember. He called on the public to speak up for Falun Gong practitioners and support them. “The light of hope is there. Let us persevere to the end without giving up.”
Takeshi Nagase, member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly
Takeshi Nagase, member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly, commented that the Chinese Communist Party has been suppressing and abusing Falun Gong practitioners, while spreading propaganda to deceive the world and cover up the persecution. As an elected official in a democratic country, he would never allow such things to happen in his district. Resisting the persecution is not only about Falun Gong practitioners, but also concerns those who live in democratic countries as they are also facing the threat from the communist regime. It’s a showdown between the free world and fascism. He vowed to lead the fight spanning the areas of free speech, economy, and culture.
Asae Kawakami, member of the Ashiya City Council, Hyogo Prefecture
Asae Kawakami, member of the Ashiya City Council, Hyogo Prefecture, joined the practitioners in their petition drive at the Motomachi Station in Kobe, calling for an end to the persecution. He said that there are still many people in Japan who do not know the facts about the persecution. As a local councilor, he is determined to make more people aware of it. The persecution is so severe that the Japanese couldn’t simply watch it happening and do nothing.
Mitsuhiro Kishida, member of the Amagasaki City Council, Hyogo Prefecture
Mitsuhiro Kishida, member of the Amagasaki City Council, Hyogo Prefecture, agreed with Kawakami. He said that the persecution of Falun Gong is an unacceptable human rights violation. It is a global issue, and he will work with everyone to solve this problem.
Masashi Yano, member of the Nishinomiya City Council, Hyogo Prefecture
Masashi Yano, member of the Nishinomiya City Council, Hyogo Prefecture, added that the Chinese Communist Party’s inhumane torture of Falun Gong practitioners is extremely regrettable. The regime tramples on human dignity and can never be forgiven. “I hope that the world will condemn the CCP and stop the persecution of Falun Gong,” he said.
Masami Uematsu, of New Resilience Forum
Masami Uematsu, a member of the New Resilience Forum, said, “The principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance advocated by Falun Gong transcends the world, national boundaries, and race. They are universal values for humanity. During these twenty-three long years of efforts in to end the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have persevered to this day, and for this I thank you.”
He continued, “In the future, it is even more important to keep fighting without succumbing to the repression. Although Falun Gong practitioners are suffering during the persecution, as long as they firmly hold on to the principles, they will grow stronger and stronger, and more and more people will support you. I will also continue to work with you.”
Hiroo Yoshikawa, former city council member of Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture
Hiroo Yoshikawa, former city council member of Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, stated that, “As a local legislator, I would like to do my small part to help Falun Gong practitioners who are being abused and persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party.”
He pointed out that the onset of the persecution coincided with the sudden increase in organ transplants in China. All evidence available pointed to an industrial chain of organ supply, with Falun Gong practitioners being the major victims murdered for their organs. He encouraged the practitioners and everyone persecuted by the CCP not to give in to violence. “We will do our best to give you support. Let’s work together to move forward,” he said.
Yoshifumi Shinzawa, Speaker of the Takatori Town Council, Nara Prefecture
Yoshifumi Shinzawa, Speaker of the Takatori Town Council, Nara Prefecture, asked, “When innocent Falun Gong practitioners are suddenly arrested one day and their kidneys, livers or pancreases are removed and sold to rich people or high ranking Communist Party officials or foreigners, how can such a thing be allowed to happen?
“I hope that the world will pay more attention to this genocide and human rights persecution by the CCP. We, the Conservative Parliamentary Coalition in Japan, are working to resolve this matter. We will speak up from the local level and deliver the message to our national legislators for them to step in.”
Yoshifumi Uemura, Member of the Nara Prefectural Assembly
Yoshifumi Uemura, Member of the Nara Prefectural Assembly, strongly condemned the organ harvesting crimes against Falun Gong practitioners. As a democratic country, Japan needs to expose and stop this human rights problem with determination. He called on both local and central governments to take a resolute attitude toward the CCP. He also urged the practitioners not to give up the fight.
Shiori Soeda, member of the Izuminami City Council, Osaka Prefecture
Shiori Soeda, member of the Izuminami City Council, Osaka Prefecture, said that Falun Gong practitioners are subjected to forced labor, brutal torture, and even the horrific organ harvesting. While in custody, many practitioners are denied family visits and suffer unspeakable torture. As more and more Japanese people are becoming aware of the persecution, practitioners should continue the fight and the Japanese government will work with them to end the persecution.
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