Saved by Chiune Sugihara – Finance Innovator Leo Melamed visits Waseda University’s Sugihara Memorial
Wed, Jul 9, 2014-
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On June 30, Leo Melamed, chairman emeritus of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, visited Waseda University’s Chiune Sugihara memorial, meeting with President Kaoru Kamata, Sugihara’s descendants and Waseda students.
During World War II, Melamed was one of some 6000 Jews who escaped Nazi persecution in Europe thanks to a life-saving visa issued by Japanese diplomat and former Waseda student Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986) .
After transiting through Japan, Melamed settled in the United States, later becoming a leader in global finance as head of the CME. He is credited with creating the world’s first financial futures products and the first electronic trading system.
As Japan’s vice consul in Lithuania, Sugihara is credited with saving thousands by issuing transit visas, against prevailing Ministry policy, allowing them to escape advancing Nazi oppression. “We owe our lives to Sugihara. If not for his courageous act, I wouldn’t be here today.” Melamed traveled to Japan to visit important sites related to Sugihara and express his gratitude. In addition to meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, Melamed also planned to visit Tsuruga, where he first landed after crossing Siberia in 1941.
Accompanied by his wife, Betty, and Sara Bloomfield, director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Melamed met with President Kamata and Michi Sugihara, board member of the nonprofit organization Chiune Sugihara Visas for Life. Kamata then led the group to Waseda’s Chiune Sugihara memorial, where the Melameds offered flowers.
Finally, the Melameds and the Sugiharas met with Waseda student volunteers involved in the Chiune Bridging Project, organized by Waseda’s Hirayama Ikuo Volunteer Center. The students spoke of the project, which retells Sugihara’s story to people in Japan and Europe, and asked Melamed about his experiences. Melamed spoke of his memories and the importance of studying history. “Sugihara showed that one person can make a difference. By standing up for what is right, one person can change the world. You are lucky to be at the university which produced Chiune Sugihara. Please take advantage of that opportunity and study history well.”
