Source: Lieutenant General Kiichiro Higuchi, Japanese Imperial Army, who saved the lives of thousands of Jews by providing them a way to pass to safety. | © JAPAN Forward

Finally, a Statue for General Higuchi who Saved Thousands of Jews from Nazi Persecution

The statue would recognize Higuchi’s humanitarian achievements saving 20,000 Jews under Nazi persecution, just before the start of World War II.

By Noboru Okabe (Sankei Shimbun), JAPAN Forward

Plans are underway to build a bronze statue commemorating the achievements of Japanese Imperial Army Lieutenant General Kiichiro Higuchi (1888-1970), who saved the lives of Jews under persecution by Nazi Germany immediately preceding the outbreak of World War II.

Ryuichi Higuchi, grandson of General Higuchi and professor emeritus of Meiji Gakuin University, launched a committee for the erection of a statue depicting the general, it was learned on April 12. Edward Luttwak, a renowned authority on strategic theory, has joined the committee.

(L) Ryuichi Higuchi, grandson of General Higuchi and professor emeritus of Meiji Gakuin University. (R) Edward Luttwak, PhD, expert in strategic theory and noted global thinker. | © JAPAN Forward

The statue is expected to be erected in General Higuchi’s hometown on Awajishima, an island in Hyogo Prefecture in the autumn of 2022. The committee is considering locations such as the Izanagi-jingu Shinto Shrine in the city of Awaji for the installation. A fundraising organization will be established by the end of May 2021, with a target of raising funds of about ￥20 million JPY (about $183 thousand USD) for the project.

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