Hello, welcome to the history of Japan podcast.

Episode 17.

He who saves one life, saves an entire world.

First, before we delve into today's topic, I get to issue my very first correction.

Last week, I did the math incorrectly and accidentally gave you a partially incorrect date for the Pearl Harbor attack. It actually took place on December 7th U.S. time, December 8th, Japan time,

since Japan is one day ahead of, not one day behind the United States.

Apologies for the mistake.

Now, let's get started.

This week, we're going to take another break from our forward march through history

to stop and talk about the story of a man who worked for Japan's government This week, we're going to take another break from our forward march through history to

stop and talk about the story of a man who worked for Japan's government during the Second

World War.

His name was Sugihara Tune, and for most of his life he was an unremarkable bureaucrat,

working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, in 1940, as the world was spiraling into war,

Sugihara did something extraordinary, and I'd like to take this week's episode to talk about

what he did, why he did it, and why I think it's important for us to know about it today.

Sugihara Chuneiore Chunei was born quite literally on the turn of the 20th century, on January 1st, 1900.

His hometown was called Yaotsu, which is Ngifu Prefecture a tad north of the city of Nagoya.

His family was solidly upper middle class. His father, Sugihara Yoshimi, was a physician by trade.

His early career trajectory followed that of your average, bright, young, and talented

Japanese.

...