Afforestation in honor of Chigi Sugihara, Israel
During the Second World War, Japan's diplomat who saved many Jews by issuing a so-called “visa of life”, in honor of Chiaki Sugihara, was a problem where trees planted in Israel were logged without permission. It turns out that the Israeli side is preparing a new alternative land and making adjustments for reconstruction.
Sugihara Chiaki was a Japanese diplomat stationed in Lithuania during the Second World War, and issued a visa to Jews who escaped the persecution of Nazi Germany, and was said to have saved 6,000 lives. In 1985, we planted a tree near Jerusalem and set up a monument.
However, in February, the planted trees were cut down, the monument was removed and turned into a residential land, and there was a backlash among those who helped with the visa.
According to officials, the Israeli government agency plans to prepare a new alternative site in the corner of the planted forest to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, near the site where it was logged without permission, by 31st last month. I found out that it was proposed to my son, Nobuo Sugihara.
The government agency intends to open a ceremony in line with the “International Holocaust Day” set by the United Nations in January of next year if the consent of Nobuo is obtained.
Nobuo Sugihara says, “I think it is a positive response. I expect that the visa issued by my father and the offspring will be rebuilt in a way that will satisfy them.”