(Minghui.org) Crowds of people filled the streets near a tourist attraction in Japan in August 2026. Under the scorching sun, 88-year-old Mr. Shigeharu Yamashita and his family of four generations stood at an intersection, telling passersby about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and collecting signatures on a petition calling for an end to the human rights abuses.
The youngest, an eight-year-old, earnestly told every passerby who signed the petition, “Thank you so much!” before bowing politely.
Many pedestrians who initially hurried past turned back and signed the petition. Some patted the children’s heads to show their approval after they signed and offered words of praise and encouragement such as, “How adorable” and “Keep it up!” Some tourists even insisted on giving the children ice cream to help them cool off.
Mr. Shigeharu Yamashita, 88, and his family collect signatures. (Minghui.org)
Mr. Yamashita distributes informational materials to passersby. (Minghui.org)
His Cancer Disappeared
In early 1997, Mr. Yamashita, who was then 60 years old, was diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer and told he had only two or three months to live. Faced with this sudden, devastating news, the entire family was plunged into despair. Mr. Yamashita was despondent and had no appetite.
Just as the whole family was at a loss, his younger brother, who lived far away, learned of the situation and told him about Falun Dafa. It turned out that his brother had once suffered from throat cancer and was told that he had only three months to live.
His brother saw a copy of Zhuan Falun in a bookstore and bought it. He finished reading it overnight and then learned the exercises. He felt better, and his throat no longer hurt. When he returned to the hospital for a follow-up exam, the results showed that the cancer cells were gone.
After hearing about his younger brother’s experience, Mr. Yamashita began to learn the exercises. After practicing for just a few days, he regained his appetite. His brother then suggested he read Zhuan Falun.
However, Mr. Yamashita had never gone to school and was illiterate. But he did not give up, because he had an idea—map out the pronunciation of each character and create flashcards so he could learn to read. That was how he and his wife learned to read, word by word, finishing the book in less than a year. His cancer was gone and has not relapsed. His whole family witnessed his amazing recovery.
Mr. Yamashita reads Zhuan Falun. (Minghui.org)
His relatives, in-laws, children, and grandchildren started practicing Dafa. More than 40 people in his big family practice it.
Mr. Yamashita’s children and grandchildren read Dafa books. (Minghui.org)
Now, 29 years have passed, and Mr. Yamashita remains in good health. He is completely independent and also washes dishes, wraps dumplings, and sharpens knives whenever things get busy at his family’s restaurant.
The great-grandchildren, who have practiced Falun Dafa almost since they were born, have grown up with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance an integral part of their lives. When the children gather, they are considerate and seldom argue. When a guest saw the group of well-behaved, sensible children, the visitor said, “Seeing how wonderful the children in your family are, I know that Falun Dafa must be good!”
Mr. Yamashita’s two great-grandsons are now in elementary school. Due to their father’s job transfers, they have had to change schools almost every year. Both brothers are well-behaved and excel academically, conducting themselves according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance they learned from Falun Gong. Wherever they go, they quickly adapt to new environments and are well-liked by their teachers and classmates.
On summer breaks, the great-grandchildren visit their great-grandparents, and they all read Dafa books and do the exercises together.
Raising Awareness of the Persecution in China
Ever since the Chinese Communist Party launched the persecution of Falun Gong in China in 1999, Mr. Yamashita and his family have raised awareness of the human rights abuses and called for it to end.
Over 20 years ago, Mr. Yamashita participated in the SOS Walk in Japan. He walked from the country’s southernmost point to Tokyo. Even though he developed bloody blisters on the soles of his feet, he never complained. Now, despite his age, he still frequently travels the streets carrying a heavy load of informational materials about Falun Gong and the persecution. Even when his back is drenched in sweat, he does not feel tired. “Master gives me good health. Only by cultivating well can I repay Master for saving me,” he said.
Mr. Yamashita rides a bike to distribute informational materials about the persecution every week.
Mr. Yamashita’s children and grandchildren abide by Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in their daily life and work. They also tell people about Dafa and the persecution after work.
This summer break, Mr. Yamashita was accompanied by his 15-year-old great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons, ages 10 and eight, to a tourist attraction to collect signatures on a petition calling for an end to the persecution.
Under the scorching sun, Mr. Yamashita stood for two to three hours at a stretch. The older great-grandson effortlessly switched between Japanese and English depending on the passerby, politely explaining the situation. The younger boy held the petition board and had flyers ready in his other hand to give out once a passerby signed. He would say, “When you have the time, please do take a look at this.” Meanwhile, his great-granddaughter collected signatures while keeping an eye on her younger brothers. The three siblings worked together seamlessly, displaying a wonderful rapport.
Beads of sweat covered the children’s youthful faces. Yet, on the way back, they seemed exceptionally happy. Chatting and laughing together, they seemed to have completely forgotten the sweltering heat.
