RAG Music - Quote Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan 10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminder kepiko Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
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!
Table of Contents Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan No success for those without dreams. Yoshida Shōin I was born to accomplish something in this world. Hideyo Noguchi Effort is always rewarded. If there is effort that isn’t rewarded, then it can’t yet be called effort. Sadaharu Oh If you try, you can succeed; if you do not try, nothing will be accomplished. What does not come to pass is simply what people have not attempted. Uesugi Yōzan It’s enough if you have the willingness to learn from your environment. Umeko Tsuda Trust in others, but trust yourself a hundred times more. Osamu Tezuka There really isn’t any shortcut. The straight, main path is the shortcut. Tamori Unless the whole world becomes happy, individual happiness is impossible. Kenji Miyazawa Creation is the ability to invent a new future while using the past and present as its materials. Akiko Yosano Forge yourself with a thousand days of training; temper yourself with ten thousand days of training. Miyamoto Musashi I believe that piling up small things is the only way to reach incredible places. Ichiro (Suzuki Ichiro) It only becomes a failure because you stop where you failed. If you keep going until you succeed, then it becomes a success. Konosuke Matsushita It can’t be helped. Oda Nobunaga If you don’t give up, there will always be a way. Always. Sakichi Toyoda People who don’t think about what to do can’t foresee what will happen. Katsuya Nomura Talent is the ability to sustain passion. Hayao Miyazaki If you fail, you can try again. If trying again doesn’t work, think it through once more and try again. Konosuke Matsushita I want the children to have a normal school life and be able to graduate. Kimi Onoda Doing things without changing what I aim for Ryo Ishikawa We can’t have you resorting to force that easily. Katsuya Okada Don’t rush. But don’t give up. Shigeta Saitō Do what you can, and then just worry quietly in your heart about the rest. Things will only turn out the way they’re going to anyway. Katsu Kaishū Even if I face setbacks, I don’t lose my pride—that’s because I’m putting in the effort. Shigeo Nagashima It’s not over when you lose. It’s over when you quit. Richard Nixon You should have more faith in your talents and what you’ve done. Ichiro Winning or losing is a small thing. What matters is whether you gave it your all. Shuzo Matsuoka Since we are being kept alive, let’s simply feel grateful. We are kept alive because our lives are worth living. Jakuchō Setouchi We read “failure” as “success.” Katsuya Nomura You should be honest with your feelings. Hideo Nomo 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 As you stretch yourself to broaden your horizons, it’s possible you’ll actually grow taller. That’s part of what makes life interesting. Saburō Shiroyama We came in with the resolve that even if we can realize just one or two policies that benefit the people, we will take all the criticism ourselves. Yuichiro Tamaki I think achieving policy goals is more important than holding a ministerial post. Yuichiro Tamaki Nation-building begins with people-building Yuichiro Tamaki If you don’t give up on yourself, there is no such thing as losing in life. Shigeta Saitō It’s okay to feel regret, to cry, to rejoice. That’s what it means to be human. Shuzo Matsuoka Happiness is always decided by your own heart. Mitsuo Aida What we truly need is the courage to stand up for someone. Taro Yamamoto I want to build a country where we can say, “Don’t worry, no matter what happens.” Taro Yamamoto Japan will never give up. We will always rise again. Sanae Takaichi The distance you’ve run will never betray you. Mizuki Noguchi Truly kind people also say tough things, because they know that coddling someone won’t do them any good. Yūsai Hosokawa Having someone who will scold you is a great happiness. Konosuke Matsushita You are in the middle of a shining life. Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi Lifelong learning, lifelong youth. Mitsuo Aida The story begins here. Osamu Tezuka Youth is the freshness of the heart. As long as one is filled with conviction and hope, brimming with courage, and continues ever-renewed activity day by day, youth will be theirs forever. Konosuke Matsushita If you don’t want to make an irreparable major mistake, you must not fear failing early. Hideki Yukawa Even when life doesn’t go well, it’s sometimes necessary not to blame yourself too much and to think that society is at fault. It begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy. More than the joy of victory, we value honoring the defeated. That is the way of sumo. Chiyonofuji Mitsugu The mental strength to endure—to dig in with “One more step!” the very moment you think “I can’t go on”—cultivates an unbeatable power to overcome anything. Taihō Kōki Sumo is something you learn by losing. There’s no sumo you learn by winning anywhere. Asashōryū Akinori I will strive every day, believing that a day will come when we can say that this experience also had great significance. Hakuho Sho Rather than staking my life on sumo, it is within sumo that my very life exists. Kōji Takanohana The voices of children without votes and without a voice, the voices of our grandchildren, will surely be heard. We will make sure they are heard. A professional never makes excuses, no matter what. Chiyonofuji Mitsugu Sweat you shed never lies Chiyonofuji Mitsugu It’s easy when you’re on the ascent and riding momentum. A person’s true worth is determined when they’re in a tight spot. Taihō Kōki War is murder carried out by states. Katsuya Okada If there are differences, we should discuss them thoroughly with each other and then overcome those differences to build consensus—that is the true role of politicians. Katsuya Okada Other people’s rulers and your own ruler each have different measurements, don’t they? Mitsuo Aida When it comes to why we do something, I always want to think about the national interests of Japan and its people. Kimi Onoda Saying it must be this way just because it’s been that way for only 50 or 100 years is strange; I want to try absolutely everything without taboos. Kimi Onoda The strength to protect what should be protected and to change what should be changed Kimi Onoda Japanese children are Japan’s treasure, aren’t they? Kimi Onoda Insults are not encouragement. Kimi Onoda I believe that insisting something can be done, when anyone can see it cannot, is plainly being dishonest to the public. Katsuya Okada No matter how tough the situation, in the end the only thing that supports you is your ‘aspiration’ (your guiding purpose). Sanae Takaichi They say you can change this. The key to changing it rests in your palm, in your hand. You have the power to change it. Taro Yamamoto That’s why I want to change—I’m changing for myself. It’s also for everyone. Taro Yamamoto Politics is something we create together. Taro Yamamoto Politics exists to save people’s lives. Taro Yamamoto We have no choice but to make the world one in which you can live even unarmed. Taro Yamamoto He may be inexperienced as a politician, maybe rough around the edges. That’s Taro Yamamoto, but he genuinely wants to do this. Taro Yamamoto I want you to pamper yourself—never blame yourself. Everyone’s already doing their best. Taro Yamamoto I want to create a society where simply being alive has value. Taro Yamamoto It’s not your fault that life is hard. It’s because politics is this stupid. Taro Yamamoto Regardless of the circumstances, when a decision must be made, I believe the best course is to stand firmly by my convictions. Yoshihide Suga Even the prime minister probably can’t accomplish big things alone. Without people to support them, nothing moves forward. Yoshihide Suga Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Yoshihide Suga An indecisive leader can even be harmful. Yoshihide Suga That’s fine—people should live their own way. Tarō Asō What matters in living as a human being is to wake with hope in the morning, work during the day, and sleep at night with gratitude. That’s how I feel. Tarō Asō Kindness isn’t just for others; it comes back around to benefit yourself. Tarō Asō If you look at a rainbow up close, it only looks like droplets of water. It looks like a rainbow because you’re seeing it from afar. In the end, it’s all about angle and distance. That’s why my work, too, can look completely different depending on the angle and distance from which you view it. Tarō Asō Anyway, a politician’s most important role is to put things into shape and get them seen. Yoshihide Suga No matter how much criticism I receive, I will stick to the path I believe in. Yoshihide Suga Grand causes come rolling in later, like loaded freight cars. Tarō Asō The attitude of refusing to listen to any criticism is wrong, but so is getting depressed when you hear it. Tarō Asō The biggest regret in life is not having tried. Tadashi Yanai My aspirations have not changed at all since the first time I set my sights on politics. Yoshihide Suga Strive not for success, but to become a person of value. Albert Einstein 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. Konosuke Matsushita Love is doing small things with great love. Mother Teresa Have aspirations and stay true to your convictions Sanae Takaichi 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? Kazuko Watanabe Hardships are the best trials that forge me. Sanae Takaichi If you’re afraid of criticism, you can’t change anything. Sanae Takaichi Laughed at, laughed at, I grow stronger. Osamu Dazai It wasn’t by chance that we made it back alive. This is our mission. Sandwich Man ...to be continued Resonating with the Heart! Memorable Quotes Left by Great Japanese Figures (81–90) An indecisive leader can even be harmful. Yoshihide Suga As prime minister, Yoshihide Suga pledged one million vaccinations a day and devoted his efforts to bringing COVID under control.
He declared he would practice politics for the people and was always someone who thought and acted on his own.
This statement truly reflects who he was.
When something goes wrong, the pressure on a leader who bears full responsibility is undoubtedly heavy.
But postponing decisions will not solve problems—if anything, it may create new ones.
What a leader must do is make decisions that no one else can.
This quote, I believe, expresses that firm resolve.
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That’s fine—people should live their own way. Tarō Asō It gently untangles the hearts of modern people who tend to be swayed by others’ values.
Everyone has their own environment and experiences, so it’s only natural that our ways of life differ.
There’s no meaning in judging someone’s choices as right or wrong; what matters most is whether that person is convinced and walking their own path.
If you keep conforming to the voices around you, you can lose sight of your own life.
Respecting others also leads to affirming your own way of living.
It’s a quote characteristic of Taro Aso, a longtime politician, showing the breadth to embrace diversity.
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What matters in living as a human being is to wake with hope in the morning, work during the day, and sleep at night with gratitude. That’s how I feel. Tarō Asō These are words from Taro Aso that embody a way of living.
To hold hope in the morning is to never lose the heart that believes in the future.
To work during the day means being ready to fulfill your role and face society.
And to sleep at night with gratitude is to have the composure to accept the day, regardless of the size of the results.
It teaches us that value lies not in special success but in the accumulation of each day.
For people today, who are easily overwhelmed by busyness, these words can be a chance to pause and reflect on one’s day.
A warm saying that reminds us of life’s basics.
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Kindness isn’t just for others; it comes back around to benefit yourself. Tarō Asō These words convey that kindness toward others and the way you live your own life are inseparably connected.
Actions you take for the sake of others come back to you as your reputation, trust, and the quality of your life.
It’s not about seeking rewards; it’s the idea that consistently choosing what you believe is right will ultimately sustain you.
Within a brief phrase lies a realistic mindset for relationships and life in society.
It also impressively offers the perspective that your behavior shapes your future self.
A resolute, principled quote that embodies resolve and integrity.
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If you look at a rainbow up close, it only looks like droplets of water. It looks like a rainbow because you’re seeing it from afar. In the end, it’s all about angle and distance. That’s why my work, too, can look completely different depending on the angle and distance from which you view it. Tarō Asō It’s a phrase that vividly expresses how the value of things can change dramatically depending on one’s perspective.
When older adults or people facing various challenges use ICT, and when we consider Japan as a safe, prosperous, long-lived nation, these can feel ordinary from the inside.
But by taking some distance and viewing them from the outside, their value can emerge as clearly as a rainbow.
Work is the same: seeing it from another department’s or role’s viewpoint can reveal its essence.
It teaches us that broadening our perspective opens up possibilities.
It’s a famous saying that clearly explains the importance of perspective.
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Anyway, a politician’s most important role is to put things into shape and get them seen. Yoshihide Suga This quote is something Mr.
Yoshihide Suga said during the press conference where he announced his retirement from politics.
Mr.
Suga has always put his thoughts into words and turned his ideas into action.
The launch of the Digital Agency, the reduction of mobile phone fees, the inclusion of infertility treatments under insurance coverage—these are not the only policies he set forth and realized during his short one-year term.
True to this quote, he brought as much as time allowed into concrete form.
While his retirement is regrettable, we should remember the importance of taking action, carry our gratitude, and keep these words close to our hearts.
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No matter how much criticism I receive, I will stick to the path I believe in. Yoshihide Suga These words from Yoshihide Suga are ones I hope you’ll remember when you’re feeling weak.
I’m sure each of you has something you’ve decided for yourself, no matter how small.
There will be times when others offer opinions or criticize what you’ve decided.
It may be difficult to stick to what you believe is right.
Precisely because these are the words of someone who has acted without bending his convictions, they carry weight and persuasiveness.
At the same time, they also express the importance of taking responsibility for what you decide and putting it into action.
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Grand causes come rolling in later, like loaded freight cars. Tarō Asō It sharply captures the relationship between ideals and reality.
It holds that a grand cause isn’t perfectly assembled from the start, but takes shape afterward through accumulated actions.
Rather than stopping to seek legitimacy or praise from the outset, it says what matters is to decide and move forward first.
There’s a pragmatic view that meaning and support will naturally gather as you produce results.
These are words that push those who hesitate to act, reflecting a stance that values practice.
It shows that only those who have taken action have reasons they can speak to, a practical maxim that pierces the essence of decision-making.
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The attitude of refusing to listen to any criticism is wrong, but so is getting depressed when you hear it. Tarō Asō This message clearly conveys the difficult theme of how to face criticism.
If you shut your ears, you lose chances to grow; if you take everything to heart, your spirit will break.
It argues for the importance of avoiding those extremes: maintaining your own center while taking in only the feedback you need.
Especially in today’s world, where we’re easily swayed by ratings and noise, it urges us to be calm and strong.
It teaches the sense of distance needed to protect yourself while moving forward.
A practical quote that teaches mental resilience.
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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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