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 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.

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.

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

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.

What luck has gave you will probably leave you.

A change is as good as a rest.

The smallest world on earth is that which is created by a closed mind.

Moonlight drifts from overA hundred thousand milesTo fall upon a cemeteryIt reads a hundred epitaphsAnd then smiles at a nest ofBaby owls

Take the road less travelled. Get lost if you must, because only in losing yourself will you find your true path...

Everything is out there. That's why they call it everything.

It is necessary that one be a light to oneself in a world that is becoming utterly dark.

Losing is only temporary and not encompassing. You must simply study it, learn from it, and try hard not to lose the same way again. Then you must have the self-control to forget about it.

Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted.

The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless. The houses are all gone under the sea. The dancers are all gone under the hill.