Hired Disruption of Shen Yun: Two Individuals Undergo a Transformation After Attending the Show

During the 2026 Shen Yun performances in Japan, hired right-wing organisations disrupted the shows near the Shibuya Theatre. (NTD)

[People News] On the evening of April 8, 2026, at the Shen Yun performance at the Shinjuku Cultural Centre in Tokyo, two notable audience members arrived. Just days earlier, they had been outside the theatre shouting slogans against Shen Yun; now, they had entered the theatre to watch the performance. After the show, both individuals expressed that they would no longer engage in activities aimed at disrupting Shen Yun.

What was it about this performance that impacted them?

The two individuals are Tanaka (pseudonym) and Fujita (pseudonym), leaders of two right-wing organisations. During the Shen Yun performances this year and last, Tanaka drove a black van marked with 'Canglonghui,' appearing a total of five times (three times last year, two times this year) near the theatres hosting Shen Yun in Tokyo and nearby cities. He used a loudspeaker to repeatedly broadcast the Chinese Communist Party's lies and attack Shen Yun. Fujita was also involved, although his vehicle had no identifying markings.

They typically deployed four to five propaganda vehicles at once, shouting slogans outside the theatre as audiences arrived, attracting the attention of passersby.

According to Zhang Chen, the head of Shen Yun's organising committee in Japan, whenever such incidents occurred, staff would approach to engage with them, explaining what Shen Yun is and detailing the persecution of Falun Gong in mainland China by the Chinese Communist Party.

Zhang Chen also emphasised the importance of adhering to Japanese etiquette. He pointed out that shouting with a loudspeaker is disruptive to the local residents. If there are any misunderstandings about us, they can be resolved through communication. After all, you have your own ideology as well (referring to right-wing groups).

A report titled "Current Situation and Crackdown of Right-Wing Groups" published by the Japanese National Police Agency in 2004 indicates that right-wing organisations are generally "anti-communist". These groups frequently hold protests in front of the Chinese embassy, but they also engage in some "dirty work" for others to secure funding.

However, after several encounters, Zhang Chen began to reassess his views on Tanaka and Fujita. He realised that while they came to disrupt, they actually lacked understanding of Shen Yun and Falun Gong. Unlike some individuals who exhibit strong hostility, Tanaka and Fujita were willing to listen when staff approached them to discuss the matter, and they did not respond with hostility.

"I feel that they do not harbour any malice towards us; they are simply hired to disrupt the performance for financial gain," Zhang Chen remarked.

This led him to a new idea: rather than continuing the confrontation, he would invite the two to attend a performance in person.

"I hope they can first understand what kind of performance Shen Yun is, and then make their own choice afterwards. This was the original intention behind inviting them to watch the show."

To his surprise, both Tanaka and Fujita readily accepted Zhang Chen's invitation.

On April 8, 2026, the Shen Yun New Era Arts Troupe held two performances at the Shinjuku Bunka Centre in Tokyo, Japan. (Lu Yong / The Dajiyuan)

On the evening of April 8, 2026, they attended a performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Shinjuku Bunka Centre in Tokyo, Japan.

Shen Yun is committed to reviving and promoting the 5,000-year-old authentic divinely inspired culture of China that has been suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party. The performances, which highlight themes of kindness and a return to traditional morals, resonate with audiences worldwide, and similarly moved the two attendees.

After the show, Fujita could not conceal his emotions as he exited the theatre, exclaiming, "The performance was incredible!" He repeatedly mentioned how touched he was by the message conveyed through the female vocalist's singing.

In the song "Sweeping Dust," the Shen Yun singers performed lines that included, "Most people are reincarnated beings, coming in batches for the Fa, forgetting their original vows as they cycle through reincarnation..." They also referenced the theme of "the Creator saving in the last days."

He remarked, "The lyrics are especially meaningful! They are beautifully written from start to finish!"

Tanaka shared that he particularly enjoyed the segment about Zhang Guolao, stating, "The performance was captivating, and the second half was even more thrilling than the first. I already grasped the content of the show; it was fantastic!" He also noted that he had been interested in seeing Shen Yun and learning more about it since last year.

Fujita expressed regret over his previous actions that disrupted Shen Yun. According to staff at the time, "When I told him, 'Good and evil will be rewarded,' he looked up at the sky and said, 'I will also face retribution, right?'

A few days later, Tanaka informed Zhang Chen that he had booked tickets for his friends and family to attend Shen Yun's performance in Tokyo on May 12.

The behind-the-scenes instigator was revealed to be a 'generous Chinese person.'

During the Shen Yun 2025 performances in Japan, a right-wing organisation hired to disrupt the event caused disturbances near the Shibuya Theatre. (NTD)

After gaining insight into Shen Yun, Tanaka and Fujita engaged in more discussions with Zhang Chen. Zhang Chen recounted, "The other party mentioned that we are different from other groups and very kind. They even half-jokingly warned me: 'Being this friendly isn't suitable for working in today's society; you might end up suffering.'"

Simultaneously, Tanaka shared with Zhang Chen the details surrounding the disruption incident.

Tanaka explained that he has a friend in the right-wing community named Kimura (pseudonym), who became acquainted with a Chinese woman. The woman's father financed the operation, instructing Kimura to conduct disruptive activities near the theatre hosting Shen Yun's performances in Japan, specifically requesting the deployment of at least three vehicles each time. After receiving the funds, Kimura hired Tanaka to carry out the plan, and Tanaka enlisted Fujita as an assistant.

Tanaka revealed that the employer was quite generous, offering a sum of several million yen (approximately tens of thousands of dollars). "This amount is more than ten times what we typically accept for similar 'orders,'" Tanaka noted.

When Zhang Chen inquired whether the employer had any ties to the Chinese Communist Party's consulate, Tanaka responded, "I am not aware of that."

However, at the disruption site in 2025, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police officer knowledgeable about Falun Gong told Epoch Times reporters, "Who else could be orchestrating this kind of disruption besides the CCP?"

Declining the employer's new order, unwilling to engage in wrongdoing again

Tanaka had previously confided to Zhang Chen that they actually lacked understanding of Falun Gong, stating, "I couldn't find any negative information about Falun Gong online, which made me feel somewhat uneasy."

He remarked that the most challenging aspect of preparing for the interference activities was crafting the slogan content. "In fact, I searched online for a long time—really a long time—and finally managed to find some usable material from related reports in The New York Times," he said.

Beginning in August 2024, The New York Times published several articles attacking Shen Yun Performing Arts. Following the start of performances that year, theatres in multiple countries, including Japan, received numerous bomb and death threat emails, and both theatres and national leaders in various countries received threatening letters demanding the cancellation of Shen Yun performances.

Tanaka noted, "I found that there wasn't much to criticise about Falun Gong, making it difficult to find negative material." He also pointed out that the time spent on interference outside the Shen Yun performance venues was significantly shorter than expected.

Meanwhile, Fujita expressed discomfort about the job he had taken on. According to Zhang Chen's account, Fujita had stated, "Honestly, I felt from the beginning that this order was quite shameful, but I went ahead and accepted it anyway..." He also disclosed that the vehicle used at the interference site was rented to avoid revealing the name of his organisation.

Shortly after attending the Shen Yun performance, Tanaka informed Zhang Chen, "I received a new (interference) order."

This new order targeted Shen Yun's performance in Tokyo in early May. In response, Zhang Chen seriously told Tanaka, "You already know what kind of performance Shen Yun is. On the matters of right and wrong, good and evil, you need to make a clear choice. Otherwise, when will you be able to break free from being used?"

A few days later, Tanaka told Zhang Chen that he had rejected the new commission.

Shen Yun wrapped up its performance at the Shinjuku Cultural Centre and continued its tour in Hachioji, Tokyo, on April 12. That day, Tanaka shouted twice with a loudspeaker near the theatre, quickly concluding the event in under 5 minutes; Fujita, who was supposed to assist, did not take part. In the following performances, neither of them made an appearance again.

(Report from Dajiyuan Japan Tokyo Reporter Station)
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