The memory of the "Japanese Schindler" is honored at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo
Ksenia Naka. The ceremony for the " Japanese Schindler ", Sugihara Tiune of which, at the time Vice-Consul in Kaunas in 1940, saved thousands of people by issuing transit visas to Japan to Jewish refugees, was held at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo.
"This is a historic event," - said at the opening ceremony, Russian Ambassador to Japan Yevgeny Afanasyev.
during the ceremony, located on a visit to the Islands of Japan co-Chairman of the scientific-educational center " Holocaust ", the adviser of the President of the Russian Jewish Congress (RJC) Ilya Altman presented the Japanese family policy is a copy of a memorial plaque which was given to the Museum of the hotel "Ukraine" in the Russian capital where Sugihara worked after the war, after retiring from service in the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Japan.
"Copy of a memorial plaque which has been handed over to the Museum of the hotel "Ukraine" and, I hope, will be approved on its facade passed to the family of Tione of Sugihara, the righteous among the Nations who saved more than 2000 lives of Jewish immigrants. In this hotel He worked over 10 years in the form of messenger Japanese trading firms. He has made his own contribution to strengthening the relations of Japan and our country not only as a diplomat but as a businessman, " said Altman Last news before the ceremony.
Project on collection of documents on transit through the territory of the USSR to Japan Jewish immigrants in the years 1940-41 began 3 years ago. Its aim is the perpetuation of the heroism of Sugihara Japanese policy. It involved scientists from Russia, Japan, Lithuania and Finland.
in 1939-40, Sugihara served as Vice-Consul of Japan in Kaunas, which was then the capital of Lithuania. In 1940 a new Soviet government demanded that foreign diplomatic missions to leave the country. In Lithuania at that moment there were thousands of Jewish immigrants from all over Europe. It is known that a month before his departure from Kaunas Sugihara issued transit visas 2132 in Japan, because of which the Jews fleeing from Nazi persecution, were able to travel through the territory of the USSR to Japan, where they opened the way to other countries.
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