Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan

I want the children to have a normal school life and be able to graduate.Kimi Onoda

100,000 views celebrated: Kimi Onoda, her voice trembling, makes a heartfelt appeal—an inspiring interpellation from her time as a lawmaker

These words emphatically convey that the future of Japan rests with its children, and that supporting those children is of paramount importance.

They declare a resolve to build a country where children’s lives aren’t defined by differences in environment.

The message expresses a belief that we must swiftly and reliably establish support systems for a normal school life, a normal graduation, and healthy daily living.

It underscores the value of children while clearly appealing for what the nation must do.

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kappamaki

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We can’t have you resorting to force that easily.Katsuya Okada

@takamatsunana

[Interview with Katsuya Okada] If Taiwan is economically blockaded, would it constitute a survival-threatening situation?Katsuya OkadaTranslation

Original song – Takamatsu Nana – Takamatsu Nana

Here is a statement that clearly conveys Mr.

Okada’s view of the use of force.

For example, in the event of a Taiwan contingency, he laments the idea of resorting to force simply because one cannot pass through the strait and could just take a detour, or because semiconductors are unavailable.

He understands that using force lightly in situations that do not warrant exchanging human lives will ultimately lead to many lives being lost.

I felt that he possesses the qualities of a calm politician who sees the bigger picture.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Doing things without changing what I aim forRyo Ishikawa

The 2013 season, in which he took on the challenge as a member of the U.S.

men’s tour.

These were the words Ryo Ishikawa spoke as he carried great expectations and pressure.

He said it was important not to change his playing style in order to maximize his abilities in an unprecedented environment.

When the environment changes, the people around you change as well, so it’s hard to do everything as usual.

But how you keep from losing yourself in that situation leads to victory.

You can really feel Ishikawa’s strong will, as someone who has always played golf to win.

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sasashina

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I want to build a country where we can say, “Don’t worry, no matter what happens.”Taro Yamamoto

No matter what happens, don’t worry. I want to build a country like that. #HouseOfCouncillorsElection2025

This expresses, in words that convey a sense of urgency, the conviction behind my work as a politician: the kind of country we are striving to build.

From the claim that we aim for a society where even those in difficult circumstances are saved, it also conveys that, at present, the vulnerable are not being rescued.

It appeals to the belief that politics is originally meant to save such people—and to our determination to restore politics to that true form.

First, we must save those who are suffering; from there, we will build a better country.

That is the message these words seek to deliver.

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kappamaki

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It’s not over when you lose. It’s over when you quit.Richard Nixon

These words speak to the importance of continuing to move forward even when many people stop after defeat or failure.

Losing is not the end of life; if you refuse to give up and keep going, there’s still a chance to grasp the results you seek.

It tells us that the moment you falter and stop challenging yourself is the true defeat, and it embodies an indomitable spirit that persists until the results come.

It prompts us to consider the importance of resetting our mindset and the value of perseverance.

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kappamaki

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The biggest regret in life is not having tried.Tadashi Yanai

As many of you know, Tadashi Yanai is the Japanese entrepreneur who founded UNIQLO.

I imagine many people can relate to this quote of his.

Being afraid of failure, afraid of being laughed at, afraid of being different from everyone else… There are surprisingly many people who can’t bring themselves to take on something new.

In times like that, we should remember Yanai’s words.

He wasn’t successful from the start either—during his student days he struggled through a grueling job hunt, and even after opening UNIQLO’s first store, it earned a bad reputation and he had a hard time.

Perhaps that’s exactly why his words resonate so deeply.

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sasashina

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If you try, you can achieve; if you don’t try, you won’t. Whatever fails to be accomplished fails because people do not attempt it.Uesugi Yōzan

Uesugi Yōzan was a mid-Edo period feudal lord and the 9th daimyō of the Yonezawa Domain in Dewa Province.

These words are said to be a lesson he composed and gave to his retainers.

Both “為す” (nasu) and “成す” (nasu) are pronounced the same.

“為す” means to take action; “成す” means to accomplish something.

In other words, if you try, you can do it.

You can’t do anything if you don’t try.

If something can’t be done, it’s because the person doesn’t attempt it.

These words teach the importance of effort and taking action.

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moko

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