Practitioners Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day With Major Parade in Tokyo

By Li Yiming and Dan Dan, Vision Times

On May 10, hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, and across Japan gathered in Tokyo’s famous Asakusa district for a large-scale parade celebrating the 27th annual World Falun Dafa Day and the 34th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public. This year’s May 13 observance also coincides with the 75th birthday of Falun Dafa founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi.

The event unfolded in one of Tokyo’s busiest tourist destinations, with streets near the iconic Kaminarimon Gate packed with visitors from around the world. Led by the Tian Guo Marching Band, the parade procession weaved through the vibrant streets of Asakusa, drawing attention from both Japanese residents and international tourists alike.

On May 10, 2026, hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, and across Japan gathered in Tokyo’s famous Asakusa district for a large-scale parade celebrating the 27th annual World Falun Dafa Day. (Image: Dan Dan, Li Yiming/Vision Times)

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, was first introduced to the public in Changchun, China, in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. The ancient practice includes meditation exercises and moral teachings centered on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Despite being peaceful in nature, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal campaign to eradicate Falun Gong in July 1999. Since then, thousands have perished at the hands of Chinese police, with many adherents today still undergoing routine monitoring, arbitrary travel bans, and arrests.

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Band members dressed in blue uniforms performed powerful orchestral marches that echoed throughout the district. Many spectators stopped to watch, while others raised their phones to take photos and videos of the event.

Support for Falun Gong

Following the marching band was a procession of women dressed in traditional Japanese attire, presenting an elegant display of Japan’s cultural heritage. Behind them, participants carried colorful banners written in Chinese, Japanese, and English bearing messages such as “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance Is Good,” and “Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.”

Practitioners performing Falun Gong exercises demonstrated slow and gentle meditative movements, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere amid the bustling city streets.

One of the parade’s most eye-catching segments was the pair of waist drum teams positioned toward the middle and end of the procession. Dressed in bright yellow practice uniforms with red drums tied around their waists, performers beat the drums in unison to lively music, energizing the crowd along the route.

Many Japanese spectators and foreign visitors waved at the participants, while others approached practitioners to ask about the event and Falun Gong itself. One Japanese spectator said, “The parade was wonderful. The music was very powerful, and the women’s traditional clothing was beautiful. I could feel a very strong positive energy.”

Among the attendees was well-known Vietnamese singer Tạ Thu Hiền, who said she has long admired traditional culture and therefore feels a deep appreciation for Japan’s cultural heritage. She said she felt fortunate to be able to participate in the World Falun Dafa Day celebration in Japan.

Renowned Vietnamese singer Tạ Thu Hiền attended the parade on May 10, 2026 in Tokyo’s famous Asakusa district. (Image: Dan Dan, Li Yiming/Vision Times)

Tạ Thu Hiền shared that she suffered from a serious illness 11 years ago, but said her life changed dramatically after beginning to practice Falun Dafa. “I am still alive and healthy today, and most importantly, I learned how to become a better person,” she said.

She explained that she tries to live according to the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” and hopes to become someone who contributes positively to society and helps others wherever she goes. She also emphasized that although cultural differences exist among countries and ethnic groups, fundamental moral values are universal. She expressed hope that the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance” could spread across borders and resonate with people worldwide.

Erik, a visitor from Michigan, said it was his first time encountering Falun Gong. As a music enthusiast, he said he was immediately drawn to the Tian Guo Marching Band. “I’ve played the saxophone for years, so seeing a performance like this felt very familiar to me,” he said.

Erik, a visitor from Michigan, said it was his first time encountering Falun Gong at the event on May 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Image: Dan Dan, Li Yiming/Vision Times)

Tom, a tourist from London traveling in Japan with his family, said he had not previously known much about Falun Gong and only began learning about it after searching online during the event. “The entire event was wonderful — very colorful, and the atmosphere was incredibly lively,” he said. “Seeing so many people marching together for the same belief was very impressive.”

Tom explained that he had come to Japan mainly to experience Japanese culture and everyday life, and said the parade became one of the most memorable parts of his trip. After learning that Falun Gong includes meditation and health-focused practices, he said he became interested in learning more.

Tom, a tourist from London, England, was traveling in Japan with his family when he came across the parade in Tokyo on May 10, 2026. (Image: Dan Dan, Li Yiming/Vision Times)

At the conclusion of the interview, both Tom and his family said they were “really happy” to witness the event during their visit to Japan.

Christina Duchesne of Miami, Florida, and her friend Luz Baez also expressed strong interest in the event because of their longstanding involvement in meditation and yoga practices. Duchesne said she meditates two to three times each week, often for about an hour at a time, and deeply enjoys spiritual cultivation practices.

Ms. Christina Duchesne from Miami, Florida, attended the parade in Tokyo, Japan with her friend Ms. Luz Baez on May 10, 2026. (Image: Dandan, Li Yiming/Vision Times)

Baez, who described herself as a longtime yoga practitioner, said she was immediately drawn to the Falun Gong event because of her focus on physical and spiritual well-being. She added that she planned to bring the informational materials she received back to Florida to share with instructors at her yoga school and hoped to learn more about the exercises in the future.

A Tokyo resident identified as Miya said she has followed human rights issues related to China for more than a decade and has therefore been aware of Falun Gong for many years. She offered a message of encouragement to practitioners, saying, “Don’t give up. Please continue.”

As the parade moved through the crowded streets of Asakusa, applause and cheers repeatedly erupted from the crowds lining the route. Under Tokyo’s early summer sunshine, the international procession, combining music, traditional culture, and participants from multiple countries, became one of the district’s most memorable scenes of the day.

Practitioners Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day With Major Parade in Tokyo

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