It is my belief that politicians should not be stepping into the realm of history. Rather, politicians should be taking a future-oriented perspective.

The future of Japan's economic growth depends on us having the willpower and the courage to sail without hesitation onto the rough seas of global competition.

I promise to protect Japan's land and sea, and the lives of the Japanese people no matter what.

I have experienced failure as a politician and for that very reason, I am ready to give everything for Japan.

The Japan-U.S. alliance is an irreplaceable alliance. And I would like to further consolidate and broaden that alliance.

I believe it is important that we Japanese write a constitution for ourselves that would reflect the shape of the country we consider desirable in the 21st century.

For China to continue to enjoy economic prosperity, it needs to foster trusting international relationships, not tensions ... and it is important for China to understand this.

The Senkaku islands are inherently Japanese territory. I want to show my strong determination to prevent this from changing.

It is important to explain fully to the local areas with sincerity. We will also think, of course, about the development promotion of the communities.

There isn't anything anybody wants that is for any other reason than that they think they would feel better in having it.

In the last five years I used to go to Zen practice once a month, but since I assumed the post of prime minister it's been much harder.

Sadness is a part of life

We hold on so tightly, because we’re terrified of loss. We hold on till our hands bleed. And in that self-shattering persistence, we fail to see the answer: Just let go.

I've never been a girly-girl, never drawn to things that are fussy.

The unexpected connection is more powerful than one that is obvious.

Things do change. The only question is that since things are deteriorating so quickly, will society and man's habits change quickly enough?

It was hollow, my triumph, I could feel that, but I held on to it just the same.

My opinion about basketball, the way I was taught, was when you step on the court, you play to win.

Overseas, America's fighting men and women have been waging war against those who would attack America and plunge the world into a period of darkness, and their success can easily be seen.

The resurrection is God's way of getting our attention.

Government arrogates to itself that it alone forms men. Everybody knows that government never began anything. It is the whole world that thinks and governs.