Sugihara Chiune: Courage Did Not Suffice For An Unprecedented Triumph Against All Odds
Sugihara Chiune was a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania who saved thousands of Jewish people from the Nazi persecution in 1940.
Fig.
Sugihara Chiune
This
is a schematic picture. The interested reader can visit the following site for
real image:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/japans-schindler-a-genuine-hero-tangled-in-a-web-of-myth/
Amidst the tumultuous years of 1939-1940, Sugihara embarked on a remarkable journey that defied conventional norms and transcended geographical borders. As the Japanese Vice-Consul in Kaunas, Lithuania, Sugihara navigated a complex web of challenges that could have easily deterred a lesser individual. In addition to his unwavering determination, multifaceted strengths, and deep-rooted values, he had outstanding abilities to acquire accurate data, analyze them, and make accurate predictions of events. In addition, he had an ability to do things swiftly. These altogether culminated in the success of what is now known as the Sugihara Scheme. This initiative not only saved thousands of lives but also stands as a testament to human compassion and resilience during one of the darkest periods of the human history.
As a backdrop to Sugihara's exceptional achievement, it is crucial to understand the intricate difficulties he faced during his tenure. The geopolitical landscape of 1940 shown in Fig. Lithuania and Neighbors, 1940, presents a formidable quadruple of challenges, each demanding immediate attention and strategic resolution.
a. The Shadow of Persecution and Flight
One of Lithuania's neighbors was
Poland, a nation grappling with the horrors of Nazi-led persecution against
Jewish communities. This persecution prompted a massive wave of Jewish refugees
to seek solace in Lithuania's borders. Sugihara found himself at the crossroads
of a crisis that required both humanity and diplomatic acumen to address.
Fig. The Shadow of Persecution and Flight
b. The Soviet Union's Menace and the Siberian Route
Looming on another border was the Soviet Union under the rule of Stalin. Not only did the Jewish refugees require passage through Soviet Russia, but the looming threat of a Soviet invasion further complicated matters. The Siberian route was contingent on Stalin's agreement, adding another layer of complexity to Sugihara's mission.
c. The Conundrum of International Relations
The ongoing Tripartite Pact (between Japan, Germany and Italy in WWII) negotiations cast another shadow over Sugihara's mission. Despite the brewing storm in Europe, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemed incapable of deciphering Hitler's true intentions. This lack of clarity stifled decisive action, as the Japanese government hesitated to take steps against Hitler's wishes.
d. Severe Time Constraints
Soviet Russia told him to close the consul and leave Lithuania by August 25, 1940
To overcome this quadruple of challenges, courage alone was insufficient. The urgency prompted Sugihara to negotiate an extension, successfully pushing the closing date to September 5.
Success Factors:
The triumph of the Sugihara Scheme can be attributed to a multitude of factors, each contributing to its resounding success. While these factors may not be easily distilled into a simplistic explanation, a holistic understanding sheds light on the extraordinary achievement. From a layman's perspective, the following elements played pivotal roles [1]-[5]:
1. Clear
Goal
Sugihara possessed a steadfast clarity of purpose. His assertion, "I did nothing special. I did what is right," epitomizes his unyielding commitment to ethical duty, irrespective of personal consequences. His encounters with Jewish individuals like Solly Ganor [7] underscored his acute awareness of the unfolding tragedy. This clarity of purpose propelled him to take meaningful action in dire circumstances.
2. Traditional
Values as a Foundation
Born in 1900, which was only 32 years after Japan's feudal period ended, which lasted 800 years, Sugihara's upbringing was steeped in
traditional Japanese values. The legacy of Japan's feudal system and his
samurai lineage instilled in him principles of dignity, honor, and loyalty.
Fig.
Sugihara and his wife in kimono, Kaunas, Lithuania. The interested reader can visit the United States Holocaust Memorial site for real image:
https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa1071770
3. Swift
Action
Time was crucial. It was early morning of July 18, 1940 when the Jewish refugees in the hundreds come to the consulate. He starts issuing massive transit visas on July 29 and finished issuing the 2139 th visa on September 5, 1940, at the Kaunas train station when the train starts moving for Berlin, his next assignment. The event occurred within 47 days. Sugihara's capacity to swiftly adapt and solve multifaceted problems within tight time frames was unparalleled.
4. Accurate
Data Acquisition, Analysis and Prediction
His ability to grasp complex phenomena was complemented by his adept data-acquisition skills. One outstanding example is two events in 1940:
Even though there is no document indicating Sugihara obtained the information of Soviet Union decision of July 27, it is difficult to consider the two events independent. [1] - [3] If one reads the Soviet documents in [1], [2], one sees that things were even deeper and more complicated in that other Soviet people were involved in a non-trivial manner. In particular, no mention was made to Sugihara's name among the Soviet diplomatic circle. Had it been mentioned, Stalin would likely have noticed, rendering the Siberian route impossible and preventing the implementation of the Sugihara scheme. His achievements in Harbin were perceived by Stalin as dangerous. Interested reader can directly check [1] and [2] for further details.
5. Neutrality
and Unbiased Perspective
Unlike several key figures in the visa saga with Jewish origins or affiliations, Sugihara stood as a neutral figure. His Japanese background and lack of bias toward Jewish individuals facilitated his role as a mediator and protector.
6. Endearing
Personality and Approachability
Sugihara's approachability and kindness were palpable to those who encountered him. A recollection of Solly Ganor [6], a 13 year old Jewish boy in Lithuania, recalls their meeting. The aura of kindness that surrounded Sugihara, fosters a sense of comfort and trust. Sugihara's empathy was not limited to theory but translated into action. His resignation from the Manchuko assignment in 1935 due to his moral objection to inhumane treatment of the Chinese population by the Japanese military showcased his deep compassion for the suffering of others.
The six factors explained above miraculously converged onto him so that this project was realized. These factors were not isolated entities but interwoven threads contributing to the tapestry of his accomplishment. The triumphant outcome of the Sugihara Scheme is a testimony to the remarkable achievements of one individual.
He
was neither a prime minister or a foreign minister such that his power was
highly limited in terms of the magnitude of the project. And yet, he saved
lives of thousands of people which stands out during one of the darkest time of
the human history.
I believe that he had such an aura that prompted many people to resonate with his scheme including Zaltandjig, Nei, Kotsuji and Kikuko Sugihara, his wife [3]-[5] .
Fig. People who resonated with Sugihara
I will discuss those people in my other blogposts.
[1] Altman, I., “The Soviet Union and
the Transit of Jewish Refugees, 1939–1941”, in Sugihara Chiune and the Soviet
Union: New Documents, New Perspectives, Slavic-Eurasian Research Center,
Hokkaido University, 2022
[2] Wolff, D.,
“Phoney War, Phoney Peace: Sugihara’s Shifting Eurasian Context”, in Sugihara
Chiune and the Soviet Union: New Documents, New Perspectives, Slavic-Eurasian
Research Center, Hokkaido University, 2022
[3] Ishigo-oka, K., “Sugihara Chiune
and Stalin,” Gogatshu Shobo, Tokyo, 2022.
[4] Watanabe, K., “Ketsudan: Visas for
Life,” Taisho Shuppan, Tokyo, Third Printing, 2001
[5] Sugihara, Y., “Visas for 6000
People,” Taisho Shuppan, 2017, Tenth Printing
[6] PBS, “Conspiracy of Kindness,” 2005
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/sugihara/readings/ganor.html
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