Exploring the account of the Japanese vessel that rescued Armenians amidst the genocide

Upon the release of her latest publication, Dr. Anna Vardanyan, an accomplished author with a Ph.D. in Economics specializing in International Relations and Japanology, sheds new light on the historical ties between the Armenian and Japanese communities. Her work focuses on the Japanese-Armenian interactions amidst the tumultuous period of the Armenian genocide.

Central to her research is the compelling account of the “Tokei Maru” ship, as Dr. Vardanyan delves into unexplored territory from the Armenian perspective. Motivated by a serendipitous discovery of a photograph depicting a Japanese vessel moored in Smyrna, her investigation took her across Greece, Japan, and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. Her meticulous study traces the voyage of the Japanese ship, endeavoring to unravel the true narrative behind the rescue efforts, underlying motivations, and consequential outcomes. Dr. Vardanyan’s scholarly pursuit aims to illuminate the evacuation process of Armenian and Greek refugees from Smyrna aboard the Japanese ship. The comprehensive investigation not only encompasses the historical backdrop of the Great Fire of Smyrna and the harrowing genocide of local Armenian and Greek communities but also delves into a detailed account of the Japanese vessel’s arrival and the subsequent safe passage of survivors.