Object numberM2017/044:004
DescriptionPhotograph, dated 3 May 1932, depicts the Japanese diplomat Chiune ‘Sempo’ Sugihara (second from right) in a canoe with his family in Yaotsu, Japan. His father sits next to him, and his Russian wife, Claudia Apollonova, is pictured, fourth from the right. The photo was taken during Sugihara’s brief return from Harbin, China, where he was working in the Manchurian Foreign Office negotiating with the Soviet Union on the Northern Manchurian Railroad.
Sugihara later 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 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.
Sugihara later 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 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 placeYaotsu, Japan
Production date 1932-05-03 - 1932-05-03
Subjectdiplomat
Object namephotographs
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
height: 297.00 mm
Language
- Japanese
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Tetsuya Sugihara