Sugihara Visas Day

Today we honor Chiune Sugihara for saving thousands of Jewish lives during World War II.

On July 29th, 1940 Sugihara began issuing the transit visas, which came to be known as “Visas for Life”; these visas allowed Jewish families to pass through Japan and seek refuge in other countries.

Last year the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, American Jewish Committee-Los Angeles, and JACCC co-sponsored a virtual program supported by JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, commemorating July 29 as Sugihara Visas Day, designated by the California Legislature to memorialize the great achievements of Chiune Sugihara in saving thousands of Jewish lives during World War II.