(Minghui.org) On the occasion of the traditional Chinese New Year, Japanese parliamentarians expressed their respect for Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa.

Chief Councilor: Happy New Year to Mr. Li Hongzhi

In his New Year’s greeting, Hajime Maruyama, the chief councilor of the Kanagawa Prefecture Amako City Council wished Mr. Li Hongzhi a Happy New Year!

He said, “Mr. Li Hongzhi of Falun Gong, which is practiced widely around the world is a great achievement. History will eventually prove that the principles you have taught are correct.”

Hajime Maruyama added, “Now Falun Gong practitioners are calling for an end to the brutal persecution, which is unprecedented in history. I believe that the day will come when it is proven that the Dafa you impart is correct. Yes, that day will eventually come. I will also try to continue until I witness this day. Please bless us. Thank you very much!”

Member of Parliament: “I Want to Send My Respect to Mr. Li Hongzhi”

Kanhiro Uehata, member of the Kobe City Council

In his New Year’s greetings, Council member Kanhiro Uehata of Kobe City expressed his highest respect for Mr. Li Hongzhi and all those who have not succumbed to the oppression of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Mr. Kanhiro UehataHe said, “I am willing to work with people who hold the spirit of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and persist in their belief. I wish that we all have a happy future together. I will do my best in 2022, and I look forward to working together with you again this year. Thank you very much.”

Nobuo Oishi, member of the Nishinomiya City Council

Mr. Nobuo Oishi, a member of the Nishinomiya City Council, wished practitioners a happy New Year.

He said, “A few years ago, I watched a moving and unforgettable performance by the Shen Yun Performing Arts! I learned about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.”

He said that various human rights persecutions, such as the Tibetans and Uyghurs, are now rampant in China. As a member of the Nishinomiya City Council he “Hopes to stop the CCP’s persecution of human rights as soon as possible.”

Japanese international political commentator Takeo Mitsuida

In a message wishing Mr. Li Hongzhi a good New Year, Japanese international political commentator Takao Mitsuida said, “I will continue my efforts for more people around the world to know the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.”

Background: What Is Falun Dafa?

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings, which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and learned the five exercises have experienced uplifted health and well-being.

Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline's growing popularity as a threat to the CCP's atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice.

Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. More have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.

There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.

Under Jiang's personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.