Everybody in the states is so relaxed, and everybody in Japan is so uptight.

If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying.

I've always prided myself in not reveling in past accomplishments and focusing on future achievement, instead. That's been my career motto.

Personally, I don't like the term 'success.' It's too arbitrary and too relative a thing. It's usually someone else's definition, not yours.

August in Kansas City is hotter than two rats f**king in a sock.

I want to be the first player to show what Japanese batters can do in the major league.

If I'm in a slump, I ask myself for advice.

People striving for approval from others become phony.

You should seek approval from yourself.

I had a dream. And I made that dream come true.

The Japanese have a strong tendency to suppress their own feelings. That's the Japanese character. They kill their own emotions.

Forgiving is an ability that can be trained. When you see the results, it´s like a drug.

In love there are two evils: war and peace.

By taking control of the present, you are choosing to alter the past you are making for yourself, and your future too.

By looking at only one place, you miss everything in all the other places! Look everywhere to see everything!

Another culture can be learned in the classroom for a single term, but it can be felt from a person for a lifetime.

I do belong on stage.

Mirrors are there when we are and yet they never give anything back to us but our own image. Never, never shall we know what they are when they are alone or what is behind them.

Most of the problems a President has to face have their roots in the past.

If you have a great passion it seems that the logical thing is to see the fruit of it, and the fruit are children.

We're all equally important at the end of the day.