During World War II, a Japanese consul in Lithuania called Chiune Sugihara defied his government by issuing forged visas to rescue Jewish refugees, who were in immense danger amid the Nazi invasions. With the assistance of Dutch diplomat Jan Zwartendijk, Sugihara saved about 6,000 Jewish refugees by issuing fake visas for the Dutch island of Curaçao in South America.
In light of the ongoing refugee crises we see today, The Embassy of the Netherlands is shedding light on the little-known story of the Curaçao Destination Visas in the hopes that it will inspire greater empathy towards refugees and bolster efforts to create a more peaceful planet.
This exhibition will showcase a variety of artefacts for the first time in Japan, including photographs, videos and panel displays. You can also see eyeglasses, ink sets and pipes used by Zwartendijk, and Yad Vashem medals, which were awarded to those who helped save Jewish people during the Holocaust. Through these items, visitors can experience the passion and dedication of these two men who worked tirelessly to uphold justice amid the chaos of war.
Note that reservations must be made in advance.