(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts kicked off its six-city Japan tour with 11 performances at the Shinjuku Bunka Center and J:COM Hall Hachioji in the Tokyo Metropolis April 2–13, 2026.

Shen Yun New Era Company performed to a full house at the Shinjuku Bunka Center in Tokyo on the afternoon of April 4.

Shen Yun New Era Company presented its opening performance at the J:COM Hall Hachioji in Hachioji, Tokyo, on the evening of April 12.

“Beautiful and Well-organized”

Hiroshi Yamada (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Hiroshi Yamada, a member of Japan’s House of Councillors, saw Shen Yun in Tokyo on April 4. “The performance was very beautiful and well-organized, and the music conveyed a long sense of history,” he said. “It was very impressive.”

He commented on Shen Yun’s cutting-edge use of technology: “That was also very well done. It was my first time seeing a moving background like that integrated with the stage, and I thought it was excellent.”

He also praised the orchestra, saying, “The performance was wonderful. It wasn’t just Western music—the inclusion of Chinese instruments created a very good harmony.

“Japan has a long history, and many of its traditions are still preserved today. China also has a long and continuous culture, but much of it has been lost under the current Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It’s very regrettable. Communism, by nature, is a political movement that denies the past and overturns tradition—it is harmful to history and humanity. I hope that China, with its long history, can one day be revived.

“Ultimately, Shen Yun’s cultural revival effort will cause the CCP to lose its legitimacy,” Mr. Yamada said. “The current system does not stem from historical continuity, and in fact does not value—or even denies—the past. If people come to recognize this, its legitimacy may be questioned. For this reason, it is natural that the Chinese authorities would take a negative stance toward such efforts.”

Mr. Yamada noted that he is fully aware of the principles of Falun Gong: “Such virtues are shared across different countries, and I believe many people can relate to them. They are good values.” 

Mr. Yamada commented on one piece that depicted the stealing of a Falun Gong practitioner’s corneas by communist officials: “There were scenes [in that performance] showing acts against humanity. Such issues should be addressed and stopped as soon as possible.” He also noted that, as a lawmaker, he has raised related human rights concerns in Japan’s Parliament.

He also called for a coordinated international response to counter such interference.

“First, it is important to raise awareness and share this information with more people,” Mr. Yamada said. “The media has a responsibility to report these facts accurately to the world. Politically, we must continue to speak out strongly against the CCP’s actions.”

He added that legal measures should also be considered, particularly regarding the organ harvesting crime in China.

“It is necessary for the international community to move forward with laws to restrict or prohibit organ transplants in China,” he said. “Without such steps, the number of victims will only increase.”

He concluded by emphasizing the deeper meanings being conveyed: “It is not only about beauty—it also raises questions about important values that human beings should rediscover, and presents these questions to people around the world.” 

“Promote Personal Growth”

Hideki Takahashi (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Renowned actor Hideki Takahashi saw Shen Yun in Tokyo on April 7.

“The beauty of well-trained bodies, exquisite music, and the whole presentation of the dances--the entire performance was very easy to understand and made for a delightful time,” he said.

“I’m someone who loves traditions, so I can deeply feel that it is extremely important to cherish and inherit those traditions that have been tempered by the passage of time. I was not familiar with Chinese culture in the past, but the performance made me feel that kind of robust and resilient folk vitality unbound through physical movement. That made me think about just how truly precious history and traditions are.

“In the world we live in, enjoying beautiful things is very important to me. Therefore, pursuing beauty, whether it is the beauty of music, stage, or costumes--enjoying all this can promote personal growth,” he said.

“I Hope More People Can See It”

Yoichi Hayashi (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Yoichi Hayashi, renowned actor and former Kabuki performer, saw Shen Yun in Tokyo on April 8.

“The brilliance of the performance surpasses the limits of language. I am completely unable to describe it in words. In our entertainment industry, based on my current observations, it is truly hard to see a soul-stunning performance like Shen Yun,” he said.

“The origin of all things came from the divine, but people nowadays have forgotten this. If they could remember it again, there would be no more fights between people.

“The performance brought me immense energy!” he said. “Seeing a performance like this makes one self-reflect. I hope more people can see it. And don’t forget--the divine truly exists.”

“The Very Best of What Stage Art Can Be”

Umeyuki Bando (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Umeyuki Bando, a Japanese dance master with more than 30 years of teaching experience, saw Shen Yun in Tokyo on April 2 with her students.

“I was deeply moved. I had seen it before and thought it was wonderful, so I was really looking forward to today,” Ms. Bando said.

Ms. Bando was most impressed by the dancers’ synchronization, which she said was a testament to their hard work behind the scenes. “When I thought about how everyone came together as one, and how much they must have practiced to reach that level, it really warmed my heart,” she said.

Praising the performers’ precision and artistry, she added, “It’s perfect—truly wonderful. I felt there was something in common with Japan’s Takarazuka. The way they strive to express everything through their bodies is truly remarkable. Their youthfulness shines through on stage, and it’s lovely.” 

With her background connected to traditional Japanese performing arts, including ties to Kabuki, and familiarity with Takarazuka, she noted, “This performance expresses the very best of what stage art can be. I hope it will be cherished.”

She was particularly touched by the spiritual elements: “It feels as though my soul is being cleansed. It’s wonderful that this is being expressed on stage. I even felt like I wanted to pray.”

“Art is nourishment for the soul. That’s why I believe everyone should see it. It inspires me to keep striving and doing my best,” she said.

“Extremely Excellent and Stunning”

Keiko Miyaji (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Keiko Miyaji, ballet school founder and ballet teacher, saw Shen Yun in Tokyo on April 2.

“Extremely excellent and stunning. Every dance was exquisitely beautiful. The performers’ movements were perfectly synchronized. The dancing was precise,” she said.

“For the female performers, even their eyes and fingertip movements were highly uniform. The subtle details of each movement were very moving. The male performers' powerful jumps and techniques like spinning and flipping were superb,” she said.

“The Entire Performance Was Orderly and Flawless”

Nobuko Takashima (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Nobuko Takashima, a visual branding and image consultant and fashion designer, saw Shen Yun in Tokyo on April 8.

“What particularly impressed me was the exceptional level of the performers’ physical prowess and powerful appeal. Truly impressive,” she said.

“I could feel that their training was really solid. Every movement was precise, and the entire performance was orderly and flawless. I was immersed in it from the beginning till the end.

“[The costumes] were very beautiful and colorful. The combinations like pink and blue, and orange and green, each had their own uniqueness,” she said. “I’m involved in work related to fashion design, and I very much would like to apply such color combinations in my designs.

“A pure breath of air,” was how she described the divinity of traditional Chinese culture presented in the performance.

“If no one is willing to inherit and guard it, it would be difficult for this kind of culture to last. I sincerely hope that this beauty can be passed down from generation to generation and endure forever,” she said.

“Such a High Level”

Hitoshi Kunika (Screenshot courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Hitoshi Kunika, an expert in semiconductor equipment, saw Shen Yun in Hachioji on April 13.

“[The opening scene] stunned me and revealed that the people of the present day were, in fact, divine in the past. I could not help but reflect that humankind itself probably has a higher significance of existence,” he said. “If human existence has such significance, then we, including myself, should interact with one another with mutual respect.

“If only one dancer were so outstanding, it could be attributed to talent. But the entire team was at such a high level, which made me reflect on the kind of training that [Shen Yun dancers] go through to eventually present such exquisite dances,” he said.

“I Deeply Felt the Vastness and Profundity of History”

Katsutoshi Kurikawa (Screenshot courtesy of NTD)

Katsutoshi Kurikawa, the former president of a steel company, saw Shen Yun in Tokyo on April 3.

“Watching the performance, I deeply felt the vastness and profundity of history,” he said. “It is admirable to me that there is such a group of people who are committed to promoting and spreading this history and culture to the whole world.” 

Mr. Kurikawa said he believes that Shen Yun performances are here to “save people's hearts.”

To learn more about Shen Yun or to purchase tickets, please visit: https://shenyun.com/