Consulate-General of Japan in New York
在ニューヨーク日本国総領事館

Theatrical Performance "Senpo Sugihara: The Japanese Schindler"

     Tokyo-based Dora Theatrical Company's "Senpo Sugihara" was performed at Hunters College, New York from October 21st -24th and thrilled Japanese and American audiences. "Senpo Sugihara" has been a long-running hit in Japan and worldwide for the past twelve years and was featured on stage more than 800 times. This was the second time the production was presented in New York. Other international performance tours included visit to places such as Lithuania, Poland and Korea.

     "Senpo Sugihara", also the title of the performance (Real name: Chiune Suighara), was a Japanese diplomat who served as the Vice Consul of Consulate General of Japan in Lithuania from July 1939 until August 1940. In an uncertain time at the beginning of World War II, Sugihara risked his career, his family, and his life to save Jewish refugees by issuing transit visas to Japan to as many Jews as he could. The visa helped the Jews cross the former Soviet Union by Siberian train, and allowed them to transit to Japan which then allowed them to enter another country like the U.S. The result saved 6000 Jews bound for execution.

     However, it was not an easy task for Sugihara to take such courageous actions. The Japanese government was opposed to distributing visas to the Jewish refugees, giving reasons that transit visas could not be issued to those who did not have a visa for their final destination. Despite opposition from the government, Sugihara continued to grant hand-written visas to them, an action solely generating from an act of altruism and humanitarianism. As soon as the former Soviet Union invaded and annexed Lithuania, Sugihara was ordered by the Soviet authorities to close the Consulate and leave Lithuania. Even after leaving the Consulate, Sugihara did not stop writing visas at the hotel where he stayed at until the last minute he was deported. Upon his return to Japan, the Japanese government dismissed Sugihara from the diplomatic service by forcing him to submit a letter of resignation to the Foreign Ministry for defiance of their orders. Sugihara's career as a diplomat was shattered, but survivors of the Holocaust continue to remember Sugihara and his heroic deeds. The visas Sugihara issued have come to be known as "Visas for Life".

     On the last day of Dora Theatrical Company's performance, a dinner reception was held at the Ambassador Ando's Official Residence for the actors and members of the Jewish community in New York. The guests included Ms. Masha Leon, a lady who was actually saved by Sugihara's visa and successfully immigrated to the U.S. Ms. Leon praised the Dora Theatrical Company's performance and commented on her hopes that they continue their performances for remembrance of Sugihara.