VILNIUS, Oct 05, BNS – As Japan readies to propose the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to include the work of World War II-era Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara who rescued Jews from the Holocaust in Lithuania into its Memory of the World Register, Lithuania’s Ambassador to UNESCO Arunas Gelunas believes in success of the initiative.

“I believe the chances are high, I think over 80 percent that Sugihara will be included in the Memory of the World Register, as his work is in line with all the humanist ideas defended by UNESCO,” Gelunas told BNS.The Lithuanian ambassador said he had suggested that Lithuania and Japan submit the application together.”Speaking specifically about the support, I have proposed the Japanese mission at UNESCO to submit the application together, an inquiry has been made. The ambassador is currently talking to her ministry and authors of the applications about whether this is possible or whether they want to submit it alone with our support,” said Gelunas.In his words, Sugihara’s inclusion into the register would bring more tourists to Kaunas, the Lithuanian city the diplomat worked in.

While residing in Kaunas during World War II, Sugihara managed to save nearly 6,000 Litvaks, i.e., Jews originating in Lithuania. Putting his career and lives of his family at stake, the Japanese diplomat issued visas that made it possible for persecuted Litvaks to safely travel to Japan. In 1985, the diplomat was awarded the medal of Righteous Among Nations, which the Israeli government confers upon prominent personalities who helped victims of the Holocaust