Object numberM2017/044:001
DescriptionThis original postcard belonged to Naoki Sugihara, nephew of the Japanese diplomat Sempo Sugihara, whose Japanese transit visas saved thousands of Lithuanian Jews during the Second World War. In the postcard, dated the 1st January 1983, Sugihara wishes Naoki a Happy New Year and informs his nephew that he has done his work for 30 years in Moscow and is now back in Japan.
Chiune (‘Sempo’) Sugihara served as Consul-General to the Japanese Empire in Lithuania from 1939-1940. While working in Lithuania, Sugihara became aware of the plight of Jews trying to leave Europe. In defiance of the Japanese Foreign Ministry he created his own 10-day transit visas which allowed recipients to travel through Japan on their way to places of refuge. In 1941 Sugihara was reassigned to Prague. As his train left Kaunas Railway Station in Lithuania, Sugihara was still writing visas, even throwing blank papers imprinted with his consulate stamp and signature out of the window. It is believed he issued several thousand transit visas, and consequently saved the lives of approximately 6,000 Jews.
Chiune (‘Sempo’) Sugihara served as Consul-General to the Japanese Empire in Lithuania from 1939-1940. While working in Lithuania, Sugihara became aware of the plight of Jews trying to leave Europe. In defiance of the Japanese Foreign Ministry he created his own 10-day transit visas which allowed recipients to travel through Japan on their way to places of refuge. In 1941 Sugihara was reassigned to Prague. As his train left Kaunas Railway Station in Lithuania, Sugihara was still writing visas, even throwing blank papers imprinted with his consulate stamp and signature out of the window. It is believed he issued several thousand transit visas, and consequently saved the lives of approximately 6,000 Jews.
Production placeJapan
Production date 1983-01-01 - 1983-01-01
Subjectdiplomat
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 100.00 mm
height: 148.00 mm
Language
- Japanese Front of postcard:
[From] Chiune Sugihara
Address 1-2-6 Matsuga
Kugenuma
Fujisawa-city
Kanagawa 251
1st January 1983
[To] Naoki Sugihara
106-11 Fugiyama
Hakusancho
Kasugai-city
Aichi-prf
Back of postcard:
Happy New Year.
I have done my work for 30 years end which [is] all done in Moscow [sic]. I just came back to Japan.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Tetsuya Sugihara