Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan

Natural disasters strike when we least expect them.Torahiko Terada

Here is a famous and important saying by Torahiko Terada: “Natural disasters strike when they have been forgotten.” Terada was a Japanese physicist, essayist, and haiku poet.

As a researcher, he was interested in disasters such as fires and earthquakes, and it is said that after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, he became even more deeply engaged with the subject.

This quote reminds us that the peaceful passing of everyday life without incident is not something to be taken for granted.

It is a phrase worth engraving in our hearts.

I never think about when to bow out.Kazu Miura

I’d like to introduce some words from soccer player Kazu Miura.

Even people who don’t know much about soccer have probably heard of Kazu Miura, who is still active as a professional athlete today.

As one of the pioneers who took on challenges overseas in sports, he has played in various countries.

Through his example, values such as relentlessly pursuing what you want to do and enjoying your own life come across clearly.

It’s a famous quote that makes you feel it’s never too late to take on a challenge, no matter how old you are.

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kepiko

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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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kappamaki

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If we were just one minute earlier, we could save one more person.Calvin Coolidge

Let me introduce a powerful quote from Calvin Coolidge: “If you are one minute early, you can save one more person.” Calvin Coolidge was an American politician who also served as President.

This saying—“If you are one minute early, you can save one more person”—was apparently an American firefighting slogan that was introduced to Japan when the American Red Cross used it in 1923 (Taisho 12) to appeal for aid following the Great Kanto Earthquake.

These powerful words that crossed the ocean truly strike a chord, don’t they?

There are no coincidences in life. Don’t run away by blaming others or luck—let’s keep building our strength little by little.Kazu Miura

These are words from Kazu Miura that convey the idea that the difficulties we face in life are not a matter of chance or luck, and that it’s important to always be prepared.

They express the belief that if we recognize that everyone is destined to face hardships and build up our strength for them, we can overcome any challenge.

There’s also a message that blaming luck or others won’t lead to true strength, so it’s vital to accept reality and keep moving forward.

These words also reveal a determination to stay true to oneself and press on with strength, no matter the circumstances.

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kappamaki

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Beneath mud and earth lies solid rock; above clouds and mist shines the sun. At the height of discontent, there is still fortune, nor is hope absent.Kanzo Uchimura

I would like to introduce a famous saying by Kanzo Uchimura: “Beneath the mud lies bedrock; above the clouds and mist shines the sun.

Even at the height of complaint, happiness and hope are not absent.” Kanzo Uchimura was a Christian thinker active in the Meiji era.

Disasters can bring many hardships.

At such times, Uchimura left words he hoped we would remember.

It is said to mean that even when times are painful and difficult now, a stable and bright future surely awaits beyond.

He likens difficult situations to mud, and the bedrock represents the strength within us that lies beneath these serious problems.

Furthermore, he tells us that even when we feel or voice complaints, happiness and hope still exist.

Life brings all kinds of experiences, doesn’t it? Even so, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.

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Nakajima Junko

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