Japan: Protests in Front of Chinese Embassy and Consulates Commemorate April 25 Appeal

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in Japan peacefully protested in front of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo and the Chinese Consulates in Nagoya, Fukuoka, Osaka, and Sapporo to commemorate the 26^th anniversary of the April 25 appeal on April 25, 2025. They called on the world to work together to stop the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) brutal persecution of Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa).

Practitioners Urge the CCP to Release Relatives Detained in China

Four Falun Gong practitioners whose relatives are illegally detained in China gathered at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo and read out a protest statement, demanding the immediate release of their relatives. Many practitioners from the Kanto region also joined the peaceful protest in front of the embassy.

A practitioner reads a protest statement, demanding the immediate release of illegally-detained Falun Gong practitioners in China.

A number of Falun Gong practitioners in Huludao City, Liaoning Province were taken away by the authorities on July 12, 2024. Among them is practitioner Liu Cong, who is held in the Huludao City Detention Center. Her family has not been allowed to visit her or ask about her situation by phone. Ms. Liu’s husband Mr. Luan Changhui was sentenced to prison for his belief in 2021. This happy family was broken apart by the persecution. It was learned that Mr. Luan was tortured so badly in prison that he cannot sleep.

Ms. Liu Cong’s sister Liu Yue in Japan said that the CCP’s inhuman persecution has reached its extreme, seriously infringing on human dignity and trampling on the law. The relevant CCP departments have shirked their responsibilities and even refused to disclose the reason for the arrest. Ms. Liu Yue called on CCP personnel and officials who still have a conscience to stop this persecution.

Practitioner Zhang Shuhui demanded the release of her aunt, Falun Gong practitioner Zhong Fangqiong from Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Ms. Zhong Fangqiong was taken away by police from the South Police Station in the Xindu District, Chengdu on June 27, 2024, and was detained in the Chengdu Detention Center in Sichuan Province. It is learned that Ms. Zhong was framed and brought to the Xindu District Court of Chengdu.

Ms. Zhang pointed out that even in China, the right to practice Falun Gong and the right to conduct Falun Gong-related activities without interference is protected by the Chinese Constitution. She said that Ms. Zhong Fangqiong is innocent and should be released immediately. Ms. Zhang called on more people to participate in the rescue efforts and help secure the release of Ms. Zhong.

Ms. Wang Guaiyan from Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, was forcibly taken away by Baoji Public Security Bureau police from another practitioner’s home on April 11, 2024, and detained in the Baoji City No. 2 Detention Center. On April 21 this year, a court informed the family that a verdict was reached. Ms. Wang appealed to an upper level court, but Ms. Wang’s family and lawyer have not been notified.

Ms. Wang’s daughter Zhang Yiwen said that the protest in front of the Chinese Embassy was to put pressure on the CCP to improve Ms. Wang’s situation.

Ms. Yao Jiaxiu went to Beijing in 1999 to appeal for Falun Gong. Since then, she has been detained, tortured, and abused many times. She was sentenced to three years in prison and sent to a mental hospital where she received forced injection of drugs and other torture. On September 20, 2024, Ms. Yao was illegally detained again and secretly transferred to Xichang City, Sichuan Province. She is currently detained in the Xiaomiao Detention Center.

Ms. Yao’s son Gong Jinjun in Japan is deeply worried about his mother. He said that his mother recovered her health through practicing Falun Gong and has long called for the release of illegally-detained practitioners in a peaceful manner. However, she is regarded as a contact person by the Chinese authorities and is continuously monitored and suppressed. The CCP personnel often break into her house and try to force her to give up her faith, causing tension and fear in her home for many years.

Mr. Gong Jinjun strongly demanded that the CCP immediately release his mother and called on the international community to pay attention to the plight of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

During the protests in front of the Chinese Embassy, Denis from Ukraine encouraged the four practitioners who were demanding the release of their relatives, and said he hoped they would continue to persevere in the face of adversity.

Denis encourages his fellow practitioners to persevere in the face of adversity.

Protest in Front of Chinese Consulate in Nagoya

Protest in front of Chinese Consulate in Nagoya

Practitioners in central Japan held banners in front of the Chinese Consulate in Nagoya that read “Stop forced organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners” in Japanese and “Falun Dafa is good” in Chinese and Japanese. Practitioners also presented copies of the latest Minghui newspaper to the police officers on site. The officers said they would read it.

Practitioner Mr. Xu said he hopes that everyone with a conscience works together to stop the inhuman persecution in China, especially the CCP’s forced organ harvesting.

Ms. Zhang from Mie Prefecture said, “From July 20, 1999 to today, the CCP has been persecuting Falun Gong for 26 years. Many practitioners are still imprisoned, tortured and have even had their organs harvested. We call on people of conscience not to become the CCP’s accomplices.”

Protest in front of Chinese Consulate in Fukuoka

Protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Fukuoka

Manaka has practiced Falun Dafa for nine years. She travels 300 kilometers [186 miles] from another county to participate in the activities every year since she started practicing. She explained, “While adhering to the spirit of the April 25 appeal and peacefully protesting the persecution, Falun Gong practitioners try to participate every year.”

Manaka (middle) holds a large banner.

Practitioners from the Kansai region peacefully protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Osaka on April 25, 2025.