Chiune Sugihara - the "Japanese Oskar Schindler"

Who was Chiune Sugihara?





After the Wehrmacht invaded Poland in September 1939, the Japanese diplomat Sugihara was sent to Kaunas, the capital of Lithuania at the time, and assigned to act as consul. When the country was annexed by the Soviet Union the following year, the situation changed dramatically. Jews who had previously fled to Lithuania ran the risk of being sent back to areas occupied by the Nazis. Sugihara issues transit visas on his own authority and against the instructions from Tokyo, saving the lives of thousands of people.





The Lippstadt-based association YAWARA has put together an exhibition on Chiune Sugihara with documents, photos and installations. The exhibition can be seen until Sunday, April 19.





Opening hours:





Friday from 3 to 7 pm





Sat/Sun from 2 to 6 pm





Admission is free of charge.





Photo reprint courtesy of Sugihara Nobuki