Japanese diplomat Chiune (Tiune) Sugihara – savior of Jews during World War ІІ

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reconstruct the life and activities of a Japanese diplomat, primarily in the field of rescuing Jews in the first years of World War II (1940–1941). The author characterizes Sugihara's personal qualities, working conditions in various parts of Europe, particularly in Lithuania and East Prussia, and examines the forms and methods of rescuing Jews. The research methodology is based on a combination of general scientific (chronological, problem-historical, analytical, synthesis, generalization) and special-historical (historical-typological, historical-systemic) methods with the principles of historicism, objectivity, systematicity, scientificity, verification, using interdisciplinary approaches to the intersection of world history, psychology, ethics; memories of contemporaries of the World War ІІ. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that, using these methods, the author reveals the character of Sugihara as the savior of European Jewry, analyzes the number of visas issued and the impact of his diplomatic activities on the future fate of Jewish refugees – applicants for temporary asylum in Japan. Conclusions. The Japanese savior, with all his diplomatic activities and «righteous» life, demonstrated an absolute immersion in the Jewish problems of the World War ІІ. Despite all the obstacles that stood in his way, he was able to save thousands of refugees who asked for transit visas to Japan in order to find a peaceful life in other countries of the world. In Lithuania, Sugihara could not calmly look at the constant crowds at the windows of his residence, mainly Polish Jewish refugees who found refuge in Lithuania after the Nazi occupation of Poland, but with the Soviet occupation of the country had to continue to arrange their lives in other countries of the world. In East Prussia, the consul faced a similar problem. Being familiar with the Nazi policy of anti-Semitism in the occupied and annexed territories of the Reich, Sugihara understood well what future awaited Jewish asylum seekers, and could not refuse them help. The diplomat, despite the fact that he belonged to a country that became an ally of Germany in the World War ІІ and had its own colonial ambitions in Southeast Asia, did not fall victim to anti-Semitic propaganda and Judeophobia, but on the contrary showed sympathy for asylum seekers. Today, there are 40,000 to 50,000 descendants of those Jews who were helped by the Japanese diplomat living in the world.