Nazi survivor given lifesaving passport replica

Résumé détaillé

A Jewish woman who escaped Nazi persecution during World War Two with the help of a Japanese diplomat has been given a replica of the passport that saved her. The gift came from…

A Jewish woman who escaped Nazi persecution during World War Two with the help of a Japanese diplomat has been given a replica of the passport that saved her. The gift came from the diplomat's hometown.

Sugihara Chiune issued transit visas for Jews on his own initiative. His efforts are said to have saved the lives of about 6,000 people.

Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, who is 94 years old, is one of them. She has shared the story in the United States of what Sugihara did ever since she survived the war.

Kaneko Masanori, the mayor of Yaotsu Town in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, presented Wassertheil-Smoller with the replica on Friday, in New York. Sugihara was originally from Yaotsu.

The original passport belonged to Wassertheil-Smoller's father. It has been on display at a memorial hall in Yaotsu honoring Sugihara since she donated it in 1993.

The replica is a precise copy of the original one, containing pages that carry the visa with Sugihara's name on and a photo of young Wassertheil-Smoller.

Wassertheil-Smoller said it is just amazing that this passport led to the turn of fate. She said, "Sugihara is an inspiring story for our times," noting that there is currently much immigration and immigrants are being treated badly. She added that his story should be widely known.

Yaotsu Mayor Kaneko said he hopes to show the world true humanitarianism, such as relating to and caring for others.

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