Sugihara’s family members visit Sydney
The granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Chinue Sempo Sugihara, the Japanese Consul General in Lithuania who helped save tens of thousands of lives during the Holocaust have met with descendants of people Sugihara saved during the Holocaust.
Oriha Sugihara, Norman Seligman and Madoka Sugihara
From 18 July to 28 August 1940, aware that applicants not meeting Japan’s criteria were in danger if they stayed behind, Sugihara decided to grant visas ignoring the requirements and issued ten-day visas to Jews for transit through Japan, in violation of his orders. The visas were granted to be the head of a household who could take all family members with himself or herself.
Madonna Sugigara talks below a photo of her grandfather
Photo: Henry Benjamin/J-Wire
Madoka Sugihara is the granddaughter of Sugihara and visited the Sydney Jewish Museum with her daughter Oriha where they met descendants of members of the community whose parents or great parents were saved the Japanese consul in Kaunus who issues exit visas to allow so many to escape the Nazis.
Both mother and daughter shared memories and stories of Sempo bringing with them personal family photos.
Madoka currently works for the Tokyo Holocaust Museum and was she and Oriha were given a tour of the Sydney Jewish Museum by CEO Norman Seligman.
Madoka Sugihara explains to Oriha at a Holocaust exhibit
Photo: Henry Benjamin/J-Wire
One descendant told J-Wire: “I have never forgotten for a second that my parents, brother and my children and grandchildren would not be here without Sugihara.”
The two women traveled to Melbourne where they also met descendants of Jewish families rescued by Sugihara.
A brave and righteous man.
A most inspiring and brave person. A true hero.