The Courage to Put It All on The Line
How to Build Courage and Live Out Your Greatest Potential
5 simple lessons from a Japanese diplomat who risked his life and saved thousands during WWII
This was one of the largest rescues of Jews in the Holocaust.
Because of one man.
Who acted in direct violation of official government policy and sacrificed a bright career and future.
Who risked his life and that of his family. For others.
Who decided to live by his deepest values.
Chiune Sugihara
He was a Japanese diplomat.
In 1939, he became vice consul in Kaunas, Lithuania.
In 1940, the Soviet Union occupies sovereign Lithuania. The war in Europe is getting worse and more dangerous. More Jewish refugees are being menaced.
At the time, it was near impossible to find countries willing to issue exit visas to Polish and Lithuanian Jews wanting to leave Europe.
Without these visas, it was too dangerous to travel.
They tried the Japanese consulate. Hundreds crowd outside, waiting desperately.
Chiune anguished seeing all these people outside the consulate.
The crowd continued to grow. Whole families slept on the sidewalk and some just stared at the windows of the consulate throughout the night.
At most he could issue a dozen or so visas on his own authority.
He knew many of these people. He built relationships with the very children and parents who were trying desperately to escape.
Initial Attempts with the Japanese Foreign Ministry
He made a request to his government and sent up an official cable:
I request permission to issue visas to hundreds of Jewish people who have come to the consulate here in Kaunas seeking transit visas. They are suffering extremely. As a fellow human being, I cannot refuse their requests. Please permit me to issue visas to them. This request is a humanitarian plea. The refugees’ request for visas should not be denied.
Two days later, the Japanese government replies:
Concerning transit visas requested previously STOP. Advise absolutely not to be issued to any traveler not holding firm end visa with guaranteed departure ex Japan STOP. No exceptions STOP. No further inquiries expected STOP K. Tanaka Foreign Ministry Tokyo.
He sends another cable to the government. Denied again.
It was not in Chiune’s nature to ignore these people.
Decision
Chiune looks into his wife Yukiko’s eyes and tells her he’s going to issue the visas in defiance of his government.
He goes outside the office and towards the crowd. He addresses them. In a soft but authoritative voice, he tells them he would issue visas to everyone in line.
Lesson 1 — Believe in yourself
Chiune believed in his ability to make a difference even when others doubted him.
He trusted his instincts and followed his heart to help others.
Self-belief is the first step towards achieving great things.
Lesson 2 — Take risks for what you believe in
Sugihara knew his actions would have consequences, but he still took the risk to save the lives of others.
He believed that the lives of Jewish refugees were more important than his own safety.
Lesson 3 — Challenge the status quo
Sugihara challenged the rules and regulations set by his government to help those in need.
He went against the norm and did what he knew was right.
Sometimes it’s necessary to challenge the status quo to bring about change.
Lesson 4 — Stay true to your values
In the early 1900s, Japanese children across the country were taught three simple but fundamental rules for living they had to repeat every morning.
They are:
- Do not be a burden to others
- Take care of others
- Do not expect rewards for your goodness
Sugihara credits his courage to these 3 simple rules.
A personal constitution of values and guiding principles that guided him during these most difficult of times.
He never lost sight of his values and continued to fight for what he knew was right, even in the face of opposition.
Lesson 5 — Sacrifice for the greater good
Sugihara sacrificed his career and family to save the lives of thousands of Jewish refugees.
He knew his time as a diplomat was almost up.
Yet he stayed in Europe and continued to serve and help people.
It led to his eventual capture and transfer to internment camps where his youngest son, the one born in Kaunas and weakened by the camps, paid the ultimate price and died.
It’s estimated that Sugihara issued 6,000 Japanese transit visas.
An estimated 40,000 descendants of his visa recipients, known as “Sugihara Survivors,” are alive because of his extraordinary courage.
Sacrificing for the greater good can result in profound impact and change.
4-TP Newsletter
If you like articles like this, you might enjoy our Friday 4-TP newsletter.
1 article, 1 insight, 1 micro thought, 1 question to ponder to help you achieve a mind-strong and fulfilled life.
Join us here: trueprogresslab.com
