NISHINOMIYA, Japan—On the afternoon of April 30, 2026, Nagasaki Reiko—a former dancer with the Liaoning Ballet and a Chinese resident in Japan—attended the fourth performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Hyogo Performing Arts Center. She said, “The performance is of a very high level, and the colors, lighting, and sound are all excellent.”
Ms. Nagasaki traveled from Okayama Prefecture to Nishinomiya specifically for the show. She said that the traditional Chinese culture presented in Shen Yun deepened her understanding in unexpected ways.
“I learned many things I hadn’t learned in China,” she said. “The theme of ‘China Before Communism’ is something people of our generation don’t fully understand. After watching Shen Yun, I felt that China’s culture and history are extremely valuable, and I really appreciate this way of passing on culture through art.”
She was particularly moved by the portrayal of traditional Chinese culture as divinely inspired, which evoked a strong sense of pride. “After watching it, I came to deeply understand the meaning of ‘Shen Yun’—to believe in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and in divine protection. This resonated with me profoundly. As a Chinese individual, I feel very proud of China’s culture and history.”
Drawing on her professional background, Ms. Nagasaki also offered high praise for the performers. “They were beautiful,” she said. “All of them danced with great dedication, precision, and skill. Their technique is impeccable.”
Upon learning that Shen Yun is currently unable to perform in China, she expressed disappointment, noting that programs related to Falun Gong may be considered politically sensitive by the Chinese Communist Party.
Nevertheless, Ms. Nagasaki emphasized the production’s artistic merit: “This is truly a high-level artistic work. If it were performed in China in the future, it would undoubtedly be very popular.”
She also believes the performance carries a meaningful social impact. “It will definitely influence social morality, virtue, and culture in a positive way—enhancing education and encouraging deeper thinking.”
Ms. Nagasaki remarked on Shen Yun’s global reach, noting that the company now has eight touring groups of similar scale worldwide. “That is something to be very proud of. As Chinese people, it’s wonderful to see this beautiful and long-standing culture being shared more widely.”
She has already begun recommending the performance to others.
“I’ve been sharing Shen Yun with my friends, and they’re all very envious,” she said. “I’ve encouraged them to come. One of my relatives is a ballet dancer and especially wants to see it, but the performance run is too short.”
With this being the final performance in the Kansai region, she expressed regret at the limited opportunity to see a Shen Yun performance.
In closing, she added with enthusiasm, “If Shen Yun returns to Japan next year, I will definitely come again. I’ve already joined the Shen Yun fan club.”
