Some Thoughts on the Award Given to an Important Contact Person of Falun Gong in Japan

According to a report from Minghui on November 23, Mr. Tsuruzono Masaaki, who is a major contact person in Japan, won the Social Culture Contribution Award, conferred by the Japanese Art Promotion Association on November 15, 2000. The Japanese Art Promotion Association was initiated by the Japanese royal family members and celebrities in social cultural circles, aiming at developing Japanese traditional culture, fostering international cultural exchange and world peace. It has great influence worldwide. To a great extent, this award represents the attitude of the main stream in Japanese society towards Falun Gong.

On November 20, the Japanese Art Promotion Association held a celebration party for its 30th anniversary at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo. Five hundred people from 26 countries attended this celebration, including Japanese royal family members, government officials and celebrities in social cultural circles. Mr. Tsuruzono was also invited to attend this celebration. His contribution to the Japanese social culture and peace won the public's respect.

This news reflects the acceptance and support that Japanese society has given to Falun Gong. At the same time, it reminded me of an episode that happened not long ago, where the Chinese government sent officials to Japan to learn about the experience of handling a so-called evil cult. It was said that the answer China got from Japan embarrassed them. The Japanese responded: you misunderstood. The "Om" religion itself is legal in Japan. The legal action taken against them was due to the fact that some members did illegal activities. We only dealt with the individuals who violated the law, rather than the religion itself. Falun Gong and the "Om" religion are not the same and Falun Gong is not an evil cult.

I remembered that the Chinese government illegally banned Falun Gong and brutally suppressed it over the past year, and it made an analogy between Falun Gong and the Japanese "Om" religion as a smoke screen. All of this made me realize more clearly China's policy of keeping the Chinese people ignorant on the matter of Falun Gong, which in turn exposed its own stupidity and absurdity. Just as it is said: the heavenly principles are clear and the public's hearts are like mirrors.

The people who want to fool others will eventually fool themselves. That which is righteous and truthful will at last be shown to people and it will receive their respect.

A practitioner from North America

November 23, 2000