The Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum is seen in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, in this 2020 file photo. (Mainichi/Hidetoshi Oshima)

       TSURUGA, Fukui -- A museum in this central Japan city dedicated to records of Jewish refugees who landed in Japan thanks to late Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who issued "visas for life" during World War II, is currently holding an exhibition about the rescue of Jews from Europe.

       The Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum started the exhibition titled "Between Life and Death -- Stories of Rescue During the Holocaust --" in November to commemorate the first anniversary of its new construction and renewal. The exhibition will continue until Jan. 31.

       The exhibition introduces stories of Jewish people rescued in 12 European countries. The stories reportedly explain how some Jews survived, and the historical background of the time. They convey their courage and strong will to live. It also includes testimonies from people saved by the visas Sugihara issued as then vice-consul of the Japanese Consulate in Kaunas, Lithuania. A museum representative said, "We'd like to make this an opportunity to think about war's cruelty and the value of peace."

       Admission is 500 yen (about $4.30) for the general public and 300 yen (roughly $2.60) for elementary school students and younger. The museum is closed on Wednesdays. For more information, contact the museum by phone at 0770-37-1035 (in Japanese).

       (Japanese original by Hidetoshi Oshima, Tsuruga Resident Bureau)

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