The amazing story of one Japanese diplomat who defied orders and saved 6,000 Jews from the Holocaust is at this link. Although ordered not to issue any travel visas, this hero and his wife signed up to 300 visas a day, not stopping for lunch and working well into the night. He was ordered to leave the country, but continued signing visas as his train was leaving. In 1985 Sugihara was awarded Israel's highest honor -- Righteous Among the Nations.