(Minghui.org) Dafa practitioners took part in civic events in several Japanese cities this past week to introduce Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) and raise awareness of the persecution in China.
Kurume, Kyushu
Practitioners participated in a parade in Kurume on August 4. Located on the island of Kyushu, the city of Kurume has instituted the Nature and Water Festival to celebrate the abundance of natural resources in the area. The parade is a highlight of the annual Nature and Water Festival, a three-day celebration held each summer. This August marked the 46th year for the festival.
Falun Dafa practitioners debut in the Nature and Water Festival in Kurume, Kyushu, Japan on August 4, 2017.
The Falun Dafa group participated in the festival parade with an exercise demonstration and dancers dressed as celestial maidens.
The parade MC introduced Falun Dafa several times along the parade route. Many spectators took photos and videos, and showed their appreciation by waving.
People were pleased to accept the fliers, and especially appreciated the beautiful handmade paper lotus flowers.
A Chinese woman among the spectators was surprised to see Falun Dafa represented in the parade. “I didn't know that Japanese people practiced Falun Gong! Where are you from?” she asked.
A practitioner told her that Falun Dafa is popular in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. The principles of the practice – Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance – are accepted universally, and it is only the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that persecutes Falun Dafa.
The practitioner urged the woman to read the fliers and learn how the CCP has slandered this traditional spiritual practice. The woman said she would, and noted that many of her Chinese friends who'd joined her that day were already reading the fliers.
Many Kurume residents also expressed interest in learning the exercises, and encouraged the practitioners to continue their opposition to the persecution.
Nagoya
Practitioners held a parade in Nagoya on August 5 to introduce Falun Gong and draw attention to the persecution in China.
The Tian Guo Marching Band performs in a parade in Nagoya on August 5.
Practitioners from surrounding areas did the exercises as a group in Sakae Park in downtown Nagoya. They then held a parade through the most bustling area of the city.
The parade was led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, composed entirely of Falun Dafa practitioners. Behind the band were practitioners carrying banners worded “Falun Dafa is Good,” “Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance,” and “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong.”
Yokkaichi
After the parade in Nagoya, the practitioners traveled to Yokkaichi for a second parade and band performance.
August 6 was the 54th annual celebration of Yokkaichi City, the largest industrial city in Mie Province, and Dafa practitioners took part in the celebration.
The Tian Guo Marching Band performs during the Yokkaichi City celebration on August 5, 2017.
As part of the celebration, practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises in the square in front of the railway station on the afternoon of August 6, 2017.
Falun Dafa exercise demonstration during the Yokkaichi City Celebration on August 6, 2017.
A passerby learns the Falun Dafa exercises during a group demonstration in Yokkaichi.
