(Clearwisdom.net) On June 16, 2007, Falun Gong practitioners held a rally and parade in Nagano, Japan to introduce Falun Dafa and expose the CCP's brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. This was the first parade with this theme in Nagano.

At 9 a.m., Falun Gong practitioners set up poster boards near Nagano station and distributed truth-clarification literature. At 2 p.m., the rally was held.

At the rally, the host introduced to the Nagano residents what Falun Gong is and exposed the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong in China. Then, Dr. Yang Guiyuan told how he was sentenced to a forced labor camp for persisting in practicing Falun Gong. In the labor camp, Dr, Yang was tortured with various means, including tying his body into the shape of a ball. The CCP's brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners shocked people. With the help of his relatives in Japan, Dr. Yang left China and avoided the difficulty of being homeless due to persecution. He hoped the Japanese people would offer help to end the inhuman persecution as soon as possible.

After the rally, Falun Gong practitioners held a parade for two hours under scorching sunshine. The parade procession passed by county and city government buildings and busy business streets. Many passers-by and workers waved their hands to greet the procession. Those who accept the truth-clarification literature read them attentively. A local reporter from Asahi Shimbun expressed an interest in writing about the persecution and asked for detailed information.

Mr. Hiroshi Sato, from the legal profession, participated in the parade and distributed literature. He said that resisting persecution is everyone's wish, even though he was not a Falun Gong practitioner. He said he saw practitioners' peace and kindness. It was his first time he participated in such an activity, and he would participate in the future if possible.

Police in charge of order for the parade told a practitioner afterwards that they would learn more about Falun Gong. One police officer said he admired practitioners' spirit in protesting the persecution regardless of personal safety.