Chiune Sugihara`s Life in Brief
Jan. 1 1900 Born in Yaotu, Gifu Prefecture
Sept. 1920 Leaves Waseda University`s Specialized
Studies Division to study Russian in Harbin
as a Foreign Ministry overseas trainee.
Dec. 1924 Joins the Foreign Ministry. Serves
in Japanese consulates in North Manchuria,
Finland,
Germany, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, and Romania.
As acting Japanese consul in the Lithuanian
capital
of Kaunasu in the summer of 1940, issues
visas to Jews fleeing Nazi Oppression, saving
as many as 6,000
lives.
Apr.1947 Returns toJapan and resigns from
the Foreign Ministry. Subsequently takes
up various positions
in business and academic :with the U.S. Forces`
Tokyo MX and U.S. Aponje & Co., as professor
at the
Nikolai Institute, and with NHK`s, International
Bureau and International Trading Ltd. in
1969 and 1985 is
officially honored by the Israeli government
for his services to the Jewish people and
state.
July.31 1986 Passes away
A panoramic view of the Hill of Humanity
The park today
In reflection of Sugihara`s fondness for
his hometown, the park is situated next to
the Maruyama Dam,
a top a tree-covered hill that commands a
view of the whole of Yaotsu.
Nearby attractions include the Grove of Meditation,Maruyama
Dam, and the Museum, which are popular
with visitors year-round.Lately,however,
the surrounding
environment has been increasingly affected
by the construction of the New Maruyama Dam.
An ongoing effort is needed to ensure that
the park can continue to play a vital role
in the community.
Join Hands in Building a Monument to Man`s Love for Man --the Sugihara Memorial Museum
The Chiune Sugihara Memorial Fund in honor
of the centenary of Chiune Sugihara`s birth
--
your chance to help keep alive the memory
of this great humanitarian for future generations
Thousands of lives , saved by the determined
efforts of a lone diplomat......
The late Chiune Sgihara,a native of Yaotsu,was
Japan`s acting consul to the Republic of
Lithuania
in the early days of World WarU. Entirely
on his own initiative, he issued Japanese
transit visas toas
many as six thousand Jewish refugees who
had fled to Lithuania from Poland to escape
Nazi
persecution.By doingso,he so saved their
lives.
Only much later did this noble act win the
recognition it deserved. In 1991,Yaotsu beganthe
construction
of the"Hill of Humanity" (Jindou
no Oka) park in honor of Sugihara . Located
on a leafy hilltop with an area
of some 40,000uAthis memorial park offers
a stunning view of the whole of Yaotsu. The
project cost a total of 600 million yen and
took three years to complete. The park was
opened to the public on August 2,
1994.
The Hill of Humanity park stands as a tribute
to Sugihara`s noble spirit and inspiring
achievements .
It also serves as a symbol of Yaotsu`s commitment
to peace, sending a message of international
goodwill
throughout Japan ahd beyond.
To help with the running of the Hill of
Humanity park, Yaotsu has set up the Chiune
Sugihara Memorial fund, which has benefited
from the generosity of numerous supporters
.
Now the municipality is planning to honor
the centennial of Sugihara`s birth by constructing
a Chiune
Sugihara Memorial Museum and associated facilities
in the year 2000.
n hope is to enable Sugihara`s love
for his fellow human beings to serve as inspiration
for future
generationa .
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
What will
to your contribution?
http://www.town.yaotsu.gifu.jp/
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