(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Japan held a march in Yokohama on July 19, 2026, calling for an end to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of their faith.
With the Tian Guo Marching Band in the lead, the procession passed through well-known sightseeing areas, such as Sakuragicho, the Red Brick Warehouse, and Chinatown, to raise awareness that the CCP has been persecuting Falun Gong for the past 27 years.
Japan was having a three-day weekend, so a large number of visitors stopped to watch the march. Many applauded, waved, and called out, “The persecution should be stopped,” and, “Please keep up the good work!” Many people also signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.
Falun Gong practitioners hold a march in Yokohama on July 19, 2026, calling for an end to the CCP’s persecution. (Minghui.org)
People Condemn the CCP’s Persecution and Sign the Petition
Mr. Komatsu (left) (Minghui.org)
Mr. Komatsu, who came to Sakuragicho in preparation for a calligraphy exhibition, listened to a practitioner talking about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and how the CCP has been harvesting organs from imprisoned practitioners while they are still alive. Mr. Komatsu took a flyer to learn more about it.
Mr. Chen (left), who is Chinese, signed the petition to support the efforts to call for an end to the CCP’s persecution. (Minghui.org)
Mr. Chen said that he is not good with words, but after listening to what has been happening to Falun Gong in China, he encouraged the practitioner: “Your belief is righteous. Please keep up the good work. I support you. Let’s stop the forced organ harvesting together.”
Mr. Kikuchi (left) (Minghui.org)
Mr. Kikuchi expressed encouragement to the practitioners, who remain steadfast in their belief despite such a difficult situation. “I’ve known about Falun Gong since a long time ago. I support you. Please keep up the good work,” he said.
A Man from China: Everyone Understands, But People Don’t Dare Say Anything
Mr. Cheng, who previously worked for a state-owned enterprise in China and came to Japan because he was weary of the country’s strict control over public opinion and its surveillance society, said, “This is my first time seeing so many Falun Gong practitioners.”
He vehemently condemned the CCP for the current state of affairs in which it maintains a high-minded facade while secretly engaging in heinous acts such as forced organ harvesting. “This is just like ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes,’” he said.
Mr. Cheng said that his grandmother used to practice Falun Gong and he strongly opposed the CCP’s persecution, “They [Falun Gong] have not done anything bad. Faith is a matter of personal freedom. It is so strange that they are being suppressed when they are not causing any trouble for anyone.” Mr. Cheng then signed the petition to support the efforts to end the persecution.
Mr. Nanang Setiawan, from Indonesia. (Minghui.org)
Mr. Nanang Setiawan listened to a practitioner talking about Falun Gong’s situation and expressed his support to end the forced organ harvesting immediately. He said, “We should stop this kind of act.”
Spectators Support Falun Gong and Call For an End to the Persecution
Ms. Yokose (Minghui.org)
Ms. Yokose said she hoped that such a march can help more people learn about the brutal persecution that Falun Gong practitioners are facing. “It is a really good thing that such events can be held in Japan,” she said.
Mr. Sakamoto (Minghui.org)
Mr. Sakamoto said he hoped that the Falun Gong practitioners can keep working together and steadfastly advance the actions to stop the persecution, no matter how difficult or dire the situation may be. “I hope that everyone will not lose heart, but continue to work hard and remain united,” he said.
A tourist from the United States, Arif Naidu, happened to catch the parade taking place on his first trip to Japan. He was full of praise for the procession led by the Tian Guo Marching Band and the other excellent performances.
“The parade was truly amazing, really impressive,” Mr. Naidu said. “This is my first time in Japan, and it has been a wonderful experience. I am so happy to be here in Yokohama today to see the parade. Their performance was fantastic and the music was beautiful. Yes, I had a truly great time.”
Mr. Naidu also agreed with the Falun Gong practitioners’ continuous efforts to raise awareness about the CCP’s persecution to the world. “I offer my full support to the Falun Gong practitioners in China who are striving to clear their names,” he said.
He also agreed with Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, saying, “I think that Truthfulness is extremely important. It is a quality that everyone should possess. Just like all that you have done today, conveying the facts without omission and speaking out about what is happening in China and exposing all those atrocities. This is truly remarkable. I am heartened to see you bringing global attention to these violent atrocities.”
Mr. Savas (left), from Turkey (Minghui.org)
Mr. Savas, who is from Turkey, expressed strong indignation at the inhuman crimes that treat human life as a commodity and fundamentally trample on the dignity of life. “I support Falun Gong. The harvesting of organs for transplant and trafficking while the victims are still alive is absolutely horrific. Therefore, we firmly oppose to it,” he said.
At the same time, Mr. Savas also resonated deeply with the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. He hopes that everyone can remain steadfast to these values and that everyone can attain these values.
The march made its way through the bustling districts of Yokohama while spectators watched and offered words of encouragement. People overcame their concerns to sign the petition opposing the persecution, and other people courageously expressed their support for freedom of belief. A number of tourists from other countries condemned the persecution after learning about what has been happening to Falun Gong.
All content published on this website is copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
Category: July 20 Events
