Chiune Sugihara

Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat during World War II. He was born in Yaotsu, Japan, in 1900. He saved thousands of Jewish refugees by writing them transit visas to escape the Holocaust. He is often called the Japanese Schindler.

Early Life

Sugihara studied English in college and joined the Japanese diplomatic service. He served in several countries and spoke many languages. In 1939, he was sent to Lithuania as the Japanese consul. There, he witnessed Jewish refugees fleeing from the Nazis.

Saving Lives

Jewish refugees came to Sugihara begging for visas to escape. His government told him not to issue the visas. But Sugihara followed his conscience and wrote thousands of transit visas by hand. He saved an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 lives. He wrote visas for up to 18 hours a day.

Fun Facts

• Sugihara wrote visas by hand for up to 18 hours a day for about a month.
• He saved an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 Jewish lives.
• He was still handing visas through the train window as he left Lithuania.

Did You Know?

Chiune Sugihara was honored as 'Righteous Among the Nations' by Israel in 1985. This title honors non-Jewish people who risked their lives to save Jewish people during the Holocaust.