Who Is Chiune Sugihara? Age, Biography and Wiki
Chiune Sugihara was born on January 1, 1900, and he became a prominent figure in history due to his courageous actions during a challenging era. Known for his role as a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania during World War II, Sugihara issued visas that allowed thousands of Jewish refugees to escape the Holocaust. He is celebrated not just for his bravery but also for his commitment to saving lives at great personal risk.
In 2025, Chiune Sugihara’s legacy continues to be honored globally. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of courage and ethical responsibility.
| Occupation | MMA |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1900 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | Kozuchi, Gifu, Japan |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Japan |
| Date of death | 31 July, 1986 |
| Died Place | Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan |
Popularity
Chiune Sugihara's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While there is limited information available on Chiune Sugihara's physical attributes, historical records indicate that he was of average height for Japanese males of his time. His contributions to saving lives, however, far outweigh any physical description, as he is remembered for his humanitarian spirit rather than his stature.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Chiune Sugihara was married to Yukiko Sugihara (née Kawai), and they had three sons together. His family played a crucial role during his diplomatic tenure, supporting his courageous decisions to help those in need. The Sugihara family continues to honor his legacy, speaking out about their father's work and the importance of compassion in the face of adversity.
Currently, there are no records or public discussions about his romantic relationships beyond his marriage, as his focus remained primarily on his family and professional obligations.
He was the second son among five boys and one girl. His father and family moved into the tax office within the branch of the Nagoya Tax Administration Office one after another. In 1903 his family moved to Asahi Village in Niu-gun, Fukui Prefecture. In 1904 they moved to Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture.
On 25 October 1905, they moved to Nakatsu Town, Ena-gun, Gifu Prefecture. In 1906 (Meiji 39) on 2 April, Chiune entered Nakatsu Town Municipal Elementary School (now Nakatsugawa City Minami Elementary School in Gifu Prefecture).
On 31 March 1907, he transferred to Kuwana Municipal Kuwana Elementary School in Mie Prefecture (currently Kuwana Municipal Nissin Elementary School). In December of that same year, he transferred to Nagoya Municipal Furuwatari Elementary School (now Nagoya Municipal Heiwa Elementary School).
In 1912, he graduated with top honors from Furuwatari Elementary School and entered Aichi prefectural 5th secondary school (now Zuiryo high school), a combined junior and senior high school. His father wanted him to become a physician, but Chiune deliberately failed the entrance exam by writing only his name on the exam papers.
Instead, he entered Waseda University in 1918 (Taishō 7) and majored in English language. At that time, he entered Yuai Gakusha, the Christian fraternity that had been founded by Baptist pastor Harry Baxter Benninghoff, to improve his English.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, determining Chiune Sugihara's net worth offers challenges, primarily due to the historical context of his life and the lack of financial records from his diplomatic service. His actions during the war were not motivated by financial gain, and reports suggest he faced significant financial hardships after the war.
However, his legacy has garnered him posthumous recognition, and various awards and honors have been attributed to him, contributing to his lasting historical value rather than monetary wealth.
Career, Business and Investments
Chiune Sugihara’s career was primarily defined by his role as a diplomat. He served in several countries, most notably Lithuania during the early 1940s. In the face of political and social upheaval, he made the unprecedented decision to issue transit visas to refugees fleeing the Nazis.
His actions were considered risky and went against the orders of the Japanese government at the time, but Sugihara’s moral convictions prevailed. After the war, he struggled to find steady employment due to his choices during the conflict. In later years, he worked in various business ventures before retiring.
Chiune Sugihara (杉原 千畝) was a Japanese diplomat who served as vice-consul for the Japanese Empire in Kaunas, Lithuania. During the Second World War, Sugihara helped thousands of Jews flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so that they could travel through Japanese territory, risking his career and the lives of his family.
The fleeing Jews were refugees from German-occupied Western Poland and Soviet-occupied Eastern Poland, as well as residents of Lithuania.
Social Network
Despite the challenges he faced in his later years, Chiune Sugihara's story has gained momentum in global discourse, inspiring documentaries, books, and social media campaigns. His family continues to be active in promoting his legacy, engaging with various social networks to raise awareness about his contributions.
Many organizations and Jewish communities celebrate Sugihara's deeds, ensuring his story reaches younger generations through educational platforms and social media. His influence can be felt in discussions surrounding humanitarianism and the importance of standing for what is morally right.
* A 2002 children's picture book, Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story, by Ken Mochizuki and illustrated by Dom Lee, is written from the perspective of Sugihara's young sons and in the voice of Hiroki Sugihara (age 5, at the time). The book also includes an afterword written by Hiroki Sugihara.
Education
Sugihara's education began in Japan, where he studied at Waseda University, initially focusing on literature and later shifting to foreign affairs. His background provided him with the necessary skills for diplomacy, which he would utilize throughout his life.
His education, combined with his inherent values, shaped his character and ultimately led him to make life-altering decisions that saved thousands of lives during one of history's darkest chapters.
In 1919, he passed the Foreign Ministry Scholarship exam. From 1920 to 1922, Sugihara served in the Imperial Japanese Army as a second lieutenant with the 79th Infantry Regiment, stationed in Korea, then part of the Empire of Japan.
He resigned his commission in November 1922 and took the Foreign Ministry's language qualifying exams the following year, passing the Russian exam with distinction.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry recruited him and assigned him to Harbin, Manchuria, China, where he also studied the Russian and German languages and later became an expert on Russian affairs.
