On the strength of strong public support, I will have (the postal reform bills) passed within this session.

After Galileo was convicted (for heresy by the Spanish Inquisition) for his theory that the Earth revolved around the sun, ... he replied, 'Still, the Earth is moving.'

I have advocated postal reform for many years. The parliament said it was an absurd argument. The people have said it was the right thing.

In the past, Japan through its colonial rule and aggression caused tremendous damage and suffering for the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations.

I will set a target for the reduction of (government) employees ... I will implement the reduction of the total personnel costs of the employees.

Although North Korea's position differs (from Tokyo's), Japan's basic stance remains unchanged ? to seek sincere responses from the North Korean side to resolve the abduction and nuclear issues.

Privatization of the postal system has long been characterized as absurd, but I have always said it is only logical.

This outrageous and vicious act of violence against the United States is unforgivable.

Using the Japan-U.S. alliance as a basis, it is important that we maintain and develop cooperative relations with our neighboring countries such as China, South Korea, and Russia.

I saw the various museum displays including scenes of torture while feeling heartfelt remorse and sorrow over the great pain and suffering inflicted on South Koreans by Japan's colonial rule.

That's the problem with revealing true truths. They make people uncomfortable. The truth should be grand and exotic, but mostly it isn't. Mostly it's uncomfortable.

Another circumstance, too, worried me in those days: that there was no one like me and I was unlike anyone else. "I am alone and they are everyone, " I thought–and pondered.

And what, for instance, would have happened had Romeo and Juliet lived to middle age, their silhouettes broadened by pasta?

Childhood smells of perfume and brownies.

Art is to look at not to criticize.

I have seen more bad songs make it because of MTV than good ones that haven't.

For some Chicago expats, food is the medicine that blunts the pain of separation.

I don't think I'm the gift of the world - I just do what I do, and I love it and I've been lucky.

Our underwear used to just be cotton, but we wanted to see if we could create something out of synthetics.

I love music and I enjoy creating sounds. I got into making music when I was a child, starting with the spoons and the koto before moving onto the piano.