(Minghui.org) Three Japanese city councilors gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo on August 5, 2024, calling for the release of Ms. Liu Cong, the sister of a Japanese resident, who was arrested in China and detained for her faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since 1999.

Ms. Liu, from Huludao City, Liaoning Province, was seized by the police in a group arrest on July 12, 2024. She has since been held at the Huludao City Detention Center.

Ms. Liu’s sister, Ms. Liu Xiyue, a Japanese resident, is working tirelessly to seek her release. She hopes that pressure from the international community can help improve the human rights status in China. She also urges more kind-hearted people to learn about the persecution of Falun Gong and the evil nature of the CCP.

On August 5, 2024, Ms. Liu Xiyue, along with Hiroaki Maruyama, a city councilor in Zushi City and representative of the Stop Medical Genocide Network; Seiji Mizushima, a city councilor in Chinosaki City; and Tomoyuki Ogisu, a city councilor in Yokkaichi City, read open letters to the Chinese government at the Chinese Embassy, urging the regime to immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong, release all unlawfully detained practitioners, and stop the heinous practice of harvesting organs from living practitioners.

Hiroaki Maruyama (middle), city councilor in Zushi City, reading his letter

Councilor Maruyama said he was very concerned about Ms. Liu Cong’s case. He strongly condemned the CCP for trampling on human rights and the genocide of Falun Gong practitioners through organ harvesting. He called on the international community to join him in condemning the persecution.

Seiji Mizushima (middle), city councilor in Chinosaki City, reading his letter

Councilor Mizushima said that he had long heard about the persecution. He wanted to do what he could to help the practitioners and speak up for them.

Tomoyuki Ogisu (middle), city councilor in Yokkaichi City, reading his letter

Councilor Ogisu added that harvesting organs from Falun Gong practitioners is a serious violation of human rights. It is murder and can’t be tolerated. He recognized the fact that although there was mounting evidence and research about organ harvesting, the crime hasn’t been extensively reported due to the CCP’s influence on Japanese media. “Many Japanese still don’t know much about Falun Gong practitioners. They need to know that this is a large self-cultivation community of 100 million practitioners.”

Ms. Liu Xiyue reading her letter

Ms. Liu Xiyue said that her sister became more calm and peaceful after she took up Falun Gong. She has been repeatedly arrested and harassed since the persecution began in 1999. Yet she isn’t the only one in the family who has been targeted for practicing Falun Gong. Her husband, Mr. Luan Changhui, a boat engineer, is still serving a four-year term.

Ms. Liu Xiyue shared that her sister started a hunger strike to protest the persecution after her arrest, and that she is very worried that her sister will be subjected to physical and mental torture while in custody. She demanded that the CCP release her sister and all other Falun Gong practitioners detained for their faith. She called on the world’s people to work together and help the Chinese people have a peaceful society where everyone enjoys the freedom of spiritual belief.

Member of the House of Councillors: The Persecution Shouldn’t Have Happened

After reading the open letters in front of the Chinese Embassy, Ms. Liu and the three city councilors visited several members of the House of Councillors and updated them about the current status of the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Councilor Maruyama said, “I hope to work with the members of the House of Councillors and identify some action items for the Japanese government to counteract the severe persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party.”

Satsuki Katayama (left), member of the House of Councillors of Japan, receiving information from Ms. Liu Xiyue

Satsuki Katayama, a senior member of the House of Councillors, said to Ms. Liu, “I know the persecution has lasted for a quarter century. I’m sorry that we haven’t had enough exposure of this issue. The persecution shouldn’t have happened. I urge you to continue the fight, and you have my full support.”

Related Report:

Liaoning Woman Detained for Practicing Falun Gong, Husband Still Serving Time for Sharing Same Faith