The Fugu Plan: The Untold Story of The Japanese And The Jews During World War II

by Marvin Tokayer

If someone who is rich and powerful comes to you for a favor, you don't persecute him - you help him. Having such a person indebted to you is a great insurance policy. There was one nation that did treat the Jews as if they were powerful and rich. The Japanese never had much exposure to Jews, and knew very little about them. In 1919 Japan fought alongside the anti-Semitic White Russians against the Communists. At that time the White Russians introduced the Japanese to the book, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The Japanese studied the book and, according to all accounts, naively believed its propaganda. Their reaction was immediate and forceful - they formulated a plan to encourage Jewish settlement and investment into Manchuria. People with such wealth and power as the Jews possess, the Japanese determined, are exactly the type of people with whom we want to do business!

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction, World War II, Judaism, Asia

287 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1979

Reviews

[Niirogal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story that needs to be taught in our schools. You've also got to see the related PBS documentary called Sugihara: Conpiracy of Kindness.

[Evonne Kendle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting part of history though not an incredibly interesting retelling of them. I picked this up because I had never heard of the Fugu plan, so this satisfied my thirst for knowledge of the subject. Not a particularly entertaining take, but satisfies curiosity.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My aunt Anita urged me to read this book. There are endless historical episodes that we learn about over time. This story is especially fascinating due to the complex, convoluted, unusual nature of the people, countries, and belief systems involved.

Chiune Sugihara was the Japanese consul in Kovno, Lithuania in 1939/1940. Referred to as “the Japanese angel” he saved the lives of thousands of Jews. When asked why he risked his career to save these refugees, he said:

I just did what we as human beings should do. One of my best teachers, in Harbin, once told me: You do the right thing because it is the right thing. Not for gain. Not for recognition. Just because it is the right thing. The refugees were people who needed my help. I could give help to them. It was the right thing to do. That’s all. (p. xvi)

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book chronicling WWII relations between Jews and the Japanese, is interesting and info-packed. However, it did take me nearly a year to finally get around to finishing. I found the Fugu Plan itself to be quite complex and confusing, but appreciated the concentrated focus on specific illustrative personalities like Senpo Sugihara, the Japanese diplomat based in Lithuania (subject of a 2004 BBC documentary entitled Conspiracy of Kindness) and Gestapo Josef Meisinger aka the Butcher of Warsaw, the Amshenover Rebbe, etc. Reading this in 2021, it is interesting to note how far-reaching and insidious anti-semitic propaganda made up in 1919 proved to be even decades later; making me all the more hysterical about QANON and Trump's Big Lie.

As a Jubu myself (aka Buju), a child of a Japanese dad and a Germanic-Jewish mom, I have a particular interest in the history of the Jews and the Japanese. And having lived in the US and also Germany and Japan, I agree wholeheartedly with the comparatively positive depiction of Japanese military to that of the Germans. I will definitely be looking for more books on the subject of the ten lost tribes of Israel wandering through Asia and intermarrying in Japan.

[Dora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing history of Jews managing to get travel/transfer visas out of Russia through Japan. They eventually were relocated to Shanghai for the duration of WWIi. As bad as the conditions were, it was better than what they left behind in Europe and Russia. What a dark period of history- may we never again fall so l of w in our humanity.

[Yan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story, but poorly written and edited. It's obvious the author is not a writer. But what a story nevertheless! Saving one person is saving a world.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story and unexpected story about Japan and the Jews during World War II.

[Alto2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling story but a poorly written and edited book.

[Susy · Rating 5 out of 5]

enlightening and well told. good book to accompany a visit to Manchuria and Shanghai