In Search Of Sugihara: The Heroic Acts and Untold Stories

During the darkness of World War II, there was one man who defied the odds and risked his own life to save thousands of Jews. Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat stationed in Lithuania, became a true hero in the face of adversity. While his story may not be as widely known as that of Schindler or Wallenberg, his actions and their long-lasting impact are equally deserving of recognition. In this article, we embark on a journey in search of Sugihara, uncovering his heroic acts and shedding light on the untold stories surrounding his extraordinary life.

Early Life and Diplomatic Career

Sugihara was born in Yaotsu, in Japan's Gifu Prefecture, in 1900. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional intelligence and a strong sense of justice. These qualities led him to pursue a career in diplomacy, hoping to make a positive difference on the international stage.

After completing his studies at Waseda University, Sugihara entered the Japanese Foreign Ministry in 1922. Over the next two decades, his diplomatic career took him to various countries, including Manchuria, the Soviet Union, and China. Sugihara's rich experiences and extensive language skills made him a highly talented and respected diplomat.

In Search of Sugihara: The Elusive Japanese Diplomat Who Risked His Life to Rescue 10,000 Jews From the Holocaust

by Hillel Levine(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1558 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Start of World War II and Sugihara's Assignment to Lithuania

In 1939, World War II erupted, and Europe found itself engulfed in chaos. Sugihara was appointed the Vice-Consul of the Japanese Empire in Lithuania, a position that would forever change his life and the lives of thousands of Jewish refugees.

As war swept across Europe, an increasing number of Jewish people sought to flee the horrors of the Nazi regime. Many of them found themselves stranded in Lithuania, desperately seeking visas to escape. It was within this turbulent context that Sugihara found himself confronted with a moral dilemma and an opportunity to become a true hero.

The Visa Issuing Campaign

Despite strict orders from his superiors not to issue visas to Jewish refugees, Sugihara could not turn a blind eye to their suffering. His sympathetic nature compelled him to take action. With great courage and against all odds, Sugihara decided to defy his superiors and started issuing visas to desperate Jews, allowing them safe passage through Japan.

This visa-issuing campaign, carried out by Sugihara and his wife Yukiko, lasted from July to August 1940. During that time, even as they faced imminent capture by Soviet authorities and a potentially fatal punishment, the Sugiharas tirelessly worked day and night to provide visas to as many desperate refugees as possible.

The Miracles of Visas: Sugihara's Legacy

Thanks to Sugihara's unwavering dedication and courage, it is estimated that he saved around 6,000 Jewish lives. His actions made it possible for the refugees to escape to safety via the Trans-Siberian Railway and then find shelter in places such as Shanghai and Kobe, Japan.

However, Sugihara's heroic acts didn't end with the issuing of visas. The impact of his actions resonates to this day. Not only did his compassion save thousands of lives, but it also sparked a chain reaction of hope and inspired others to act. Many visa recipients went on to become successful and influential people, dedicating their lives to making the world a better place.

One moving example is the Sugihara Foundation - Diplomats for Life, which was created in 1991. This organization aims to cultivate the heroic spirit of diplomats like Sugihara in today's world, advocating for acts of bravery, compassion, and justice.

Unraveling Untold Stories

While Sugihara's heroism during World War II is well-documented, there are still numerous untold stories waiting to be discovered. As we delve deeper into the life of this remarkable diplomat, we encounter multiple instances where Sugihara risked everything to save lives.

For example, it is believed that Sugihara continued to save Jews even after leaving Lithuania. His postings in Prague and Königsberg, among others, saw him secretly issuing visas or assisting refugees, proving that his bravery knew no bounds. These lesser-known stories add yet another dimension to the already extraordinary legacy of Sugihara.

The Forgotten Hero Rediscovered

Unfortunately, Sugihara's heroism went unrecognized for many years. After the war, he faced significant challenges and hardships, including being unfairly blamed for misconduct and demoted within the Foreign Ministry. His actions during the war were largely forgotten until the late 1960s.

It was only in 1968, when a group of survivors organized a reunion in Jerusalem, that Sugihara's contributions began to resurface. Survivors publicly acknowledged his bravery, and the world took notice of the modest diplomat who had achieved extraordinary things.

Before his death in 1986, Sugihara received numerous awards, including the Righteous Among the Nations recognition from Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Despite these late accolades, it is essential to continue sharing Sugihara's story to ensure his unparalleled acts of bravery and heroism are never forgotten.

In Search of Sugihara

We embarked on this journey in search of Sugihara, looking beyond the surface and finding stories that bring us closer to this remarkable diplomat. Sugihara's unwavering courage and selflessness have rightfully earned him a place in history as a true humanitarian hero.

Let us remember the name Sugihara Chiune and honor his memory by celebrating acts of bravery, compassion, and justice. In a world often overshadowed by darkness, Sugihara's story serves as a reminder that even one person's actions can make a world of difference.

In Search of Sugihara: The Elusive Japanese Diplomat Who Risked His Life to Rescue 10,000 Jews From the Holocaust

by Hillel Levine(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1558 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese consul in Kovno, Lithuania, honored in 1984 by Yad Vashem as a “Righteous Among the Nations,” issued transit visas to thousands of Jews in 1940, saving them from almost certain death in Nazi-occupied Europe.

From extensive archival research and interviews — of survivors, fellow students in Harbin, China, diplomats who knew Sugihara and family members —, Hillel Levine reconstructs the fascinating story of this diplomat, spy and Russia expert who singlehandedly built a “conspiracy of goodness.”

“Mr. Levine dug deep into wartime archives and traveled all over the world in search of Sugihara’s friends and relatives, and surviving eyewitnesses of his extraordinary acts ... [researched] Japanese culture, folklore, diplomacy, imperialism and attitudes toward Jews and the West ... In Search of Sugihara finally inspires you to believe that in a time of great evil a good man threw caution to the winds and acted out of simple humanity.” — Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times

“This remarkable biography is, in the author’s words, a study of the ‘banality of good.’ Honored in Israel and Japan, yet still largely unknown in the West, Japanese diplomat and spy Chiune Sugihara, with this book, joins the ranks of Raoul Wallenberg, Oskar Schindler and other rescuers of Jews escaping Nazi persecution ... In Levine’s compelling analysis, Sugihara’s rescue effort was motivated by love of life and a strong sense of justice, not by any special relationship to Jews or driving obsession — an ordinary man turned extraordinary hero.” — Publishers Weekly

“On the basis of considerable research, including interviews with survivors, friends, and relatives, official records, and Sugihara’s scant memoirs, Levine presents the available facts ... Sugihara’s story is ultimately a fascinating addition to Holocaust literature and a valuable historical footnote.” — Kirkus Reviews

“One of a handful of landmark books in our desperately needed process of just beginning to explore the strange mystery of human goodness.” — M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled

“Sugihara is unique because he demonstrated that every individual is empowered to resist tyranny and that one can act in accordance to the dictates of a higher moral authority that advocates justice, humanity, and compassion to all mankind. Hillel Levine is to be commended for bringing attention to this unsung hero of the Holocaust and for telling us, with historical depth and literary eloquence, of the unknown dimensions of this incredible story.” — Tom Lantos, US Congress

“This is history as it was, and history as it might have been. Hillel Levine has relentlessly uncovered one of the most thrilling and unknown stories of World War II and the Holocaust. He has shown what one courageous diplomat in one small country did to make a real difference in those darkest of times. He has also given us the account of an improbable but genuine hero whose name should be inscribed with the other great figures of the resistance.” — Harvey Cox, Thomas Professor of Divinity, Harvard University