Gems of famous quotes give us insights—words that move the heart and stir the soul.

Please keep your heart burning.Shinji Ishimaru

These are words addressed to twenty-year-olds at Akitakata City’s Coming-of-Age ceremony, “Akitakata Gathering of Twenties.” They carry hopes and wishes for young people to keep moving forward with conviction, each aiming to become a cool, admirable adult.

The fact that these words are spoken by Mr.

Ishimaru, who became mayor at a young age with conviction and passion, gives them strong persuasiveness.

You can also sense the idea that young people feeling their own growth and living fulfilling days is crucial to supporting the nation.

The words convey both a powerful yet gentle push from behind and a stance of spreading one’s convictions.

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If it’s just my life, I’ll bet it.Shinji Ishimaru

These words were spoken by Shinji Ishimaru, former mayor of Akitakata, as he explained why he is running in the Tokyo gubernatorial election, expressing his approach to confronting hardship.

They are also featured as promotional copy for Climbers, an event that offers special life lectures, and they carry a strong sense of resolve.

He reflects on what it takes to move a nation like Japan and says that to pursue that path requires a commitment worthy of one’s entire life.

If you aim to move great obstacles, your own life is a small price to pay—these words convey a head-on determination to leverage that resolve to produce major results.

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I’m not talking about the small, candidate-centered matter of winning or losing.Shinji Ishimaru

These are the words delivered by Shinji Ishimaru, who ran in the Tokyo gubernatorial election and, looking only at the results, finished second and was not elected, during Nippon TV’s election special.

From a candidate’s perspective, judging solely by the outcome it is a loss, but he asserts that this is not some trivial matter; rather, it is part of an effort with a longer-term vision.

This seemingly dismissive tone is also a strategy, carrying a rebuke toward the media that stokes the public by focusing only on wins and losses.

While stating his policy on how he intends to engage in politics going forward, he also expressed views on what the media ought to be.

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If you truly have a sense of urgency, you should be able to make up your mind.Shinji Ishimaru

These were words included in the process of answering questions that were asked for clarification at a financial briefing in Akitakata City.

It conveys that each municipality, including Akitakata City, is built not only by politicians but also by the people who live there, and that it is important for everyone to understand the situation.

It expresses the idea that, rather than seeing it as someone else’s problem, we should view it as our own, and that having a precise sense of urgency is essential for a better future.

It calls on many people to recognize that if we want our town to survive, we must feel the urgency, be prepared, and work together.

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I can say with confidence that I did everything I could.Shinji Ishimaru

These are the words Mr.

Shinji Ishimaru shared at the press venue as he reflected on the election, at the very moment Ms.

Yuriko Koike’s projected victory was announced in the Tokyo gubernatorial race.

While the result alone shows he was not elected, he conveyed that he gave his all to what he could do and that he was able to leave clear meaning in his decision to run.

Another key point is that he was able to communicate his ideas to many people, and you can sense that this will likely have an impact on the future.

Because it’s a positive message about holding one’s head high, it also inspires the expectation that he will continue to give his all in his activities going forward.

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I’ve found what to do with my life.Shinji Ishimaru

These are words from Shinji Ishimaru’s final appeal as a candidate on the day before the Tokyo gubernatorial election.

Reflecting on his path—from leaving the bank to becoming mayor of Akitakata, and then running for Tokyo governor—he says that by looking closely at the state of politics, he came to understand what he needed to do.

He conveys that acting with a sense of urgency—feeling that things couldn’t go on as they were and that he had to do something himself—has led him to this moment.

It’s a message that not only speaks to this campaign, but also signals his resolve going forward: to devote his life, wholeheartedly, to what he sees before him and believes must be done.

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To be honest, even after the Reiwa era began, it didn’t really sink in for me—but I think the very fact that it didn’t is thanks to the efforts of the Emperor Emeritus, His Majesty, and so many others. I sincerely hope that this peaceful era continues.Kazlaser

The change of an era name is actually a very significant event.

In principle, it’s the kind of major incident that should bring the flow of Japanese society to a temporary halt.

Yet, Kazlaser says the transition from Heisei to Reiwa proceeded with an almost unsettling smoothness.

This was likely not only thanks to the consideration shown by the Imperial Family, but also because people across Japanese society toiled behind the scenes to keep things moving.

There are no blood-soaked religious wars, nor ethnic conflicts that take lives, in today’s Japan.

We ought to feel more grateful for our ordinary, everyday life—his words seem to gently teach us even that.