The Part Asian Nations Played in Saving Lives from the Holocaust.

In terms of 'most important' there are many excellent answers already given, so let me share with you some 'lesser known' facts of the Holocaust, such as the part Asian nations played in saving lives from the Holocaust.


Ho Feng-Shan, China's diplomat to Nazi Germany

In the year 1937, Ho Feng-Shan, the Republic of China's diplomat in Vienna, issued over 2,000 family visas for Jews to flee to Shanghai. Unlike western countries such as the US and England, China had no restrictions on accepting Jewish people, as there was no tradition of organized anti-semitism to them. When Ho ran out of official visas to assign, he forged them, his goal was to save as many lives as he could, laws be damned. Ho Feng-Shan was never recognized for this in his lifetime, but Israel honored him as Ho Feng-Shan, posthumously in 2001.

A memorial plaque in Shanghai for Ho Feng-Shan



Chiune Sugihara, Japan's Vice-Consul to Lithuania 

Even when Shanghai fell to the Japanese Empire, it was still a safe haven for Jews. In 1940 the Japanese diplomat in Lithuania Chiune Sugihara began issuing visas for Jews to flee Europe and go to Shanghai, directly breaking proper procedures in his effort to save lives. Even when he was moved from his post, he was still madly producing visas, throwing blank ones out of his train window to crowds of Jews desiring freedom. Estimates on the number of lives he saved range from 6,000 to 10,000. 

45 years after these events, Sugihara was asked why he did what he did, his response:

You want to know about my motivation, don't you? Well. It is the kind of sentiments anyone would have when he actually sees refugees face to face, begging with tears in their eyes. He just cannot help but sympathize with them. Among the refugees were the elderly and women. They were so desperate that they went so far as to kiss my shoes, Yes, I actually witnessed such scenes with my own eyes. Also, I felt at that time, that the Japanese government did not have any uniform opinion in Tokyo. Some Japanese military leaders were just scared because of the pressure from the Nazis; while other officials in the Home Ministry were simply ambivalent.

People in Tokyo were not united. I felt it silly to deal with them. So, I made up my mind not to wait for their reply. I knew that somebody would surely complain about me in the future. But, I myself thought this would be the right thing to do. There is nothing wrong in saving many people's lives....The spirit of humanity, philanthropy...neighborly friendship...with this spirit, I ventured to do what I did, confronting this most difficult situation—and because of this reason, I went ahead with redoubled courage

Over 20,000 Jews found refuge in Shanghai through World War 2. Even though Germany pressured Japan to hand over or kill the Jews, the governor of Shanghai refused.  American journalist Warren Kozak describes the episode when the Japanese military governor of the city sent for the Jewish community leaders as so: 

The Japanese governor asked "Why do the Germans hate you so much?"
Rabbi Shimon Sholom Kalish replied "because we are Orientals."

The governor, whose face had been stern throughout the confrontation, broke into a slight smile. In spite of the military alliance, he did not accede to the German demand and the Shanghai Jews were never handed over."

After the defeat of the Axis, the majority of the Shanghai Jews made their way to newly formed Israel. If you want to learn more about heroes from around the world who stood up for humanity, check the wiki page Righteous Among the Nations.