After 50 years Japan finally recognizes the actions of Chiune Sugihara, who is called "The Japanese Schindler".

News/Lifestyle Editors

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2000

Japan Apologizes to Family and Honors Sugihara by Hanging

Plaque in Foreign Ministry

In l940, Chiune Sugihara, with the help of his wife Yukiko, issued life saving visas to thousands of Jews in the Holocaust.

For 60 years, Japan did not recognize the actions of Consul-General Sugihara. On Monday Oct. 10 (Yom Kippur, the Day of Forgiveness), Yohei Kono, Japan's foreign minister, apologized to Yukiko Sugihara, the widow of Chiune Sugihara.

Kono, on behalf of Japan, apologized to Mrs. Sugihara for not doing so sooner. Kono also apologized to the Sugihara family for the belated recognition and talked about how proud he was of Chiune Sugihara's decision to save thousands of Jewish people.

Kono told Mrs. Sugihara, "As foreign minister, I apologize to you and other relatives for the long neglect (non-recognition of Sugihara) and will see that his achievements are known to future generations". Mrs. Sugihara responded by saying that her "husband would have been pleased at this."

Kono also said, "Here we praise Chiune Sugihara's courageous and humanitarian act conducted in an extreme situation amid the Nazi persecution of Jews."

The Japanese government also unveiled a plaque honoring Mr. Sugihara. Kono unveiled the copper plaque, which was placed on a wall of the ministry's Diplomatic Record Office in Tokyo. The Foreign Ministry also set up an area to exhibit information about Mr. Sugihara. The plaque reads, in part: "A courageous diplomat of humanity. In commemoration of the l00th anniversary of his birth."

Yukiko Sugihara attended the ceremony in the Foreign Ministry with her daughter-in-law Michi Sugihara. Also in attendance at the ceremony was: Japanese Diet member, Mr. Suzuki, and the former Japanese Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Kawashima and his wife. The Ambassadors from Israel and Lithuania were in attendance. Sixty people from the Foreign Ministry were in attendance also.

Chiune Sugihara, was the Japanese Consul General stationed in Kaunas Lithuania, and when the escaping Polish Jews asked for visas. Consul Sugihara wired Japan three times asking if he could issue visa's, and twice Japan said no (they did not respond to the third wire).

The next morning Chiune, in consultation with his wife Yukiko, decided to issue the visas on his own authority. Mr. Sugihara signed visas day and night for 30 days. Soon thereafter, the Sugiharas were transferred to Germany. When Sugihara returned to Japan after the war he was let go from his position in the Foreign Ministry. He was told that it was because of "that incident in Lithuania." Mr. Sugihara died in l986, at the age of 86.

The Japan Foundation, an affiliate of the Foreign Ministry, also announced that it will be providing three scholarships in honor of Mr. Sugihara.

Hundreds of volunteers have worked diligently for the past seven years for this moment! To speak to Hiroko Sugihara (oldest son) call 4l5-776-6745. Nobuki Sugihara (the youngest son) can be reached at his office in Antwerp 0ll 32 32 32 55 39. Call Eric Saul with Visa's for Life or Lani Silver, Sugihara educator and former director, Bay Area Holocaust Oral History Project, for the names of Sugihara survivors.