When Atlruism Transcends Race | Chiune Sugihara

Today I learned of a Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews out of Nazi occupation, Chiune Sugihara. 

Fascinating human being. Much like Oskar Schindler, He did this being in direct disobedience to his in-group, with all the consequences increasingly salient; with all the risks involved.

I came to the story through Robert Cialdini's Pre-Suasion, in one chapter which includes Unity. After having researched, and read more and more about the guy, it's clear how awesome the guy is.

At the time, Japan had a wartime relationship with Nazi Germany. Knowing this, it would be clear that aiding Jews would be a crime. Even after being rejected by his superiors in issuing Japanese Travel Visa's, he made the necessary documents anyway for refugees. Some sources say he worked 18 hours for days on end, signing documents. Even before closing the consul/embassy, and minutes before his train departed, he was still making documents. and finally, bowing apologetic to the people he was unable to save. 

He was able to save up to 6,000 Jews.

1983 Memoir:
“To be perfectly honest, when I received the answer from Tokyo (to my request to issue visas), I spent an entire night plunged in thought. … I could have refused to issue them, but would that, in the end, have truly been in Japan’s national interest? I came to the conclusion, after racking my brain, that the spirit of humane and charitable action takes precedence above all else.

“I am convinced to this day that I took that path of action faithfully, putting my job on the line, without fear or trepidation in my heart.

 “I took it upon myself to save (the refugees). If I was to be punished for this, there was nothing I could do about it. It was my personal conviction to do it as a human being."

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