Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan
Various great figures who built Japan have left behind numerous famous sayings.
These quotes sometimes resonate with people living in the present and can serve as guideposts when moving things forward.
In this article, we introduce inspiring quotes left by those known as great figures of Japan.
We have gathered quotes from a variety of fields, including historical figures, people who supported major corporations, athletes, and entertainers.
Among the quotes we present, you may find a hint that clears your mind.
Be sure to check them out!
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- Short quotes that resonate with the heart. Words that reach you effortlessly.
Resonating with the Heart! Timeless Quotes by Great Figures of Japan (71–80)
Love is doing small things with great love.NEW!Mother Teresa
I would like to share words from Mother Teresa, a Catholic saint who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
This famous quote about love is among the best-known of her many sayings.
By “small things,” she meant gestures anyone can offer—smiling at a neighbor, helping with the cleaning, and other simple acts of kindness.
Each act may seem insignificant on its own, but when done with the greatest love, it can bring comfort and joy to others.
Expressing love is not actually so difficult; it’s something everyone can do.
Even if you compare yourself to others and find yourself inferior, it is by no means something to be ashamed of. However, if you compare yourself to who you were last year and find that you are worse this year, that is truly something to be ashamed of.NEW!Konosuke Matsushita
Konosuke Matsushita, one of Japan’s leading entrepreneurs known as the “God of Management,” is famous for building Panasonic Holdings in a single lifetime and serves as a role model for many business leaders.
This quote teaches us about the right way to grow.
When there’s someone who shares the same goal, we tend to compare ourselves with them.
However, the focus should not be on rivals but on ourselves.
Even if you outperform others, if you are inferior to who you were last year, it cannot be called growth.
In the new year, even small things are fine—let’s set tasks for ourselves one by one and keep to them. Isn’t that the shortcut to building what we call our true selves?NEW!Kazuko Watanabe
This is a famous quote by Kazuko Watanabe, a Catholic nun.
Life refers to the time we have spent so far—but then, what is our true self? When we think about it, it’s difficult, isn’t it? She suggests a shortcut to creating our authentic selves: bring change to yourself.
It could be habits in daily life or goals for your life—anything is fine.
What matters is expanding your own potential and discovering what is important to you.
The accumulation of that may, before you know it, become your true self.
Japan will never give up. We will always rise again.Sanae Takaichi
These words succinctly capture the indomitable spirit the Japanese show when facing adversity.
The powerful message—“Never give up; always rise again”—embodies Japan’s very journey, repeatedly overcoming natural disasters and economic hardships.
It reflects not only individual effort but also a society where people support and help one another.
More than a simple English phrase, it is a declaration imbued with hope for the future, and one that resonates internationally.
This message, which pledges renewal even in the face of adversity, symbolizes the ‘strength of Japan,’ inspiring us with pride and courage.
No matter how tough the situation, in the end the only thing that supports you is your ‘aspiration’ (your guiding purpose).Sanae Takaichi
These words express the idea that politicians should move forward with conviction, and that it is precisely that aspiration which gives them the strength to face hardships.
When you consider that they likely come from someone who has been a politician for a long time and experienced difficulties, you can sense how strong their resolve must have been.
Conversely, it can also be read to mean that politicians without conviction cannot endure, so their years of activity may reflect the strength of their convictions.
It also makes you want to pay attention to what kind of aspiration it was that gave them the power to overcome so many struggles.
To win, you can only get closer to the best.Sota Fujii
Sota Fujii’s skill is undeniable, but that doesn’t mean he can win every time.
Not just in shogi—there’s no such thing as a guaranteed victory—and a single bad move can completely change the flow of a game.
To win, it’s about how close you can get to the best possible play… That’s very difficult, but it’s important to bring out the very best within yourself in any situation.
Even if you make mistakes or fail, remember these words, keep fighting without giving up until the end, and seize the victory.
A beautiful Japan. That is our duty as those living in the present.Sanae Takaichi
These words embody multilayered values—nature, culture, tradition, spirituality, and safety.
The changing scenery of the four seasons, festivals passed down since ancient times, a spirit that honors courtesy, and Japan’s uniquely safe and secure society—these are treasures we can proudly share with the world.
Ms.
Takaichi’s words challenge us to take responsibility for carrying these forward into the future.
They resonate not as a mere political slogan, but as a guiding ideal that each citizen should recognize, protect, and cultivate.
Because the expression combines strength with warmth, it feels like a memorable saying that will be etched deeply in many people’s hearts.