Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan

A dream is something for yourself alone. A dream that everyone can share is an aspiration.Masayoshi Son

Mr.

Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank Group, is often praised for his management prowess in expanding his businesses.

Here is a quote from this great Japanese entrepreneur that makes us reflect on the power of pursuing dreams.

He tells us that to make a dream come true, it’s important to gain empathy from those around you and turn it into a shared aspiration; by working to earn that support, you pave the way to success.

These words suggest not leaving your dream as something personal, but sharing it with others and turning it into a larger mission—an invitation to spark a bold ambition.

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kappamaki

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Heaven does not create people above others, nor does it create people below others.Yukichi Fukuzawa

Yukichi Fukuzawa, who founded Keio University and was active as an educator, is also known for being featured on the 10,000-yen banknote.

Here is a famous quote from this great educator—whose ideas still influence education today—expressing his views on equality.

It conveys that while people are equal at birth, differences arise thereafter due to environment and education.

It also suggests that the more keenly one feels discrimination or hierarchy, the more important it is to seek ways to overcome them—a sentiment that could serve as a starting point for scholarship.

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In the Way, one thinks without shunning death.Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi can be called a master who perfected the way of the sword, and among his famous sayings is this: one must not fear death in the pursuit of one’s own path.

I imagine that many of you reading this have, even if not on such a grand scale, tried to stick to some path or conviction of your own.

Musashi tells us that in such times, it is vital to throw yourself into it with everything you have, to see it through and master it.

Doing so helps a person grow and elevates that path into something more noble.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Learning is a kind of experience, and experience is also a kind of learning.Eiichi Shibusawa

This famous quote is by Eiichi Shibusawa—known as the “father of Japanese capitalism” and a leading Japanese industrialist whose life was portrayed in the historical drama Reach Beyond the Blue Sky.

It tells us that studying itself is an essential life experience, and that any experience we have can lead to learning.

Even if you don’t like studying, try to tackle it with the belief that it will one day become a valuable experience that connects to something meaningful.

And whether it’s sports, art, or anything else, if you feel like trying it, keep giving it a go!

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SAKI

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It is the heart that makes a world without amusements into an interesting one.Shinsaku Takasugi

These are famous words known as the death poem of Takasugi Shinsaku, a samurai activist at the end of the Edo period.

It is said that Takasugi composed the first half of the poem, while the second half was written by Nomura Boto-ni, who was nursing him.

The first half means “to make a dull world interesting,” and the second half conveys that “one’s mindset is essential for living.” From this saying, we can sense the message that whether we can live a rich life depends on ourselves.

It’s a wonderful message that resonates across time.

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Hane Keisuke

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It’s not that there are inherently interesting jobs. There are only people who make their jobs interesting.Hiroshi Mikitani

Here is a quote by Hiroshi Mikitani, the founder of Rakuten Group.

His words convey that it’s we ourselves who decide that “work is boring,” and that with the right mindset, we can turn it into something enjoyable.

He also adds, “No matter what the job is, as long as you have a sense of purpose, you can enjoy it.” If you keep Hiroshi Mikitani’s many work-related quotes in mind, your motivation for work will rise.

It may be important to let go of the belief that work is dull and to keep making efforts with a fresh attitude at all times.

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kepiko

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If all you do is state the obvious, you’ll only achieve obvious results.Hidetoshi Nakata

Hidetoshi Nakata, who made his mark on the world stage as a footballer, is remembered as one of Asia’s greatest players thanks to his many achievements.

Here is a quote from that legendary player that speaks to the importance of innovation and having a mindset of your own.

He tells us that if your thinking and actions are ordinary, even success will yield only ordinary results; to achieve something truly great, you need ideas and moves that no one else would even consider.

These words give us courage to move beyond conventional thinking and take on the challenge of seeing how far we can expand our own unique ideas.

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