Sometimes, the words of politicians contain phrases that unexpectedly make you stop and think.
SatSuki Katayama’s memorable quotes, with their distinctive perspective and crisp phrasing, have also stayed with many people.
From sharp one-liners delivered in debates to remarks made during media appearances, her words seem to carry a striking resonance that lingers in the ear.
In this article, we introduce a selection of SatSuki Katayama’s most impressive quotes.
We hope you’ll read on as a prompt to reflect on politics and society.
- [Sanae Takaichi] Quotes that reflect conviction and resolve. Powerful words with an eye on the future
- Katsuya Okada’s famous quotes. A collection of words that reveal the true feelings of a politician.NEW!
- [Kimi Onoda] Exhilaratingly bold quotes. Unvarnished, no-sugarcoating, cool wordsNEW!
- [Yuichiro Tamaki] A passionate message to politics and the people. Memorable, impactful words.NEW!
- Akiko Oishi’s quotes are exhilarating—razor-sharp words that make you slap your knee.NEW!
- Kazuyoshi Shimba’s fiery quotes: words spoken from the citizens’ perspectiveNEW!
- Shinjiro Koizumi’s quotes that make you do a double take! A slowly-sinking-in collection of uniquely original sayings
- Fiery quotes by Shigeharu Aoyama: words that stay true to convictionNEW!
- Takashi Kawamura: Distinctive turns of phrase and memorable quotes. Addictive expressions spoken in Nagoya dialect.NEW!
- [Taro Aso] Exhilarating, sharp-tongued, and cool quotes. Powerful, thought-provoking messagesNEW!
- Ryuichi Yoneyama’s famous quotes: words that reveal his true feelingsNEW!
- Exhilarating! A collection of memorable quotes by Haruo Kitamura. Sharp words from a legal professional.NEW!
- A collection of resonant quotes by Sohei Kamiya that pierce the heart: passionate words born from love for Japan.NEW!
Satsuki Katayama’s famous quotes: Revisiting her sharp words delivered in the political arena (1–10)
Whether it’s bad or good should be decided by democracy.NEW!Satsuki Katayama
These words speak to the fact that both elections and the Diet proceed by the democracy of majority rule, and that it is through that democracy that we judge what is good or bad.
Even before reaching the point of a majority vote, ideas pass through the minds of many people, and in that very aggregation of opinions one can sense what democracy truly is.
It also conveys the importance of robust debate—people meeting on equal footing and clashing earnestly over their views, then making decisions accordingly.
It’s a statement that makes you reflect on how remarkable the democratic process is.
As the Prime Minister often says, we must not pass debt on to future generations. Of course it’s better not to pass it on, but leaving a Japan that doesn’t grow would be an even bigger burden. That’s why, when it comes to investment, you have to spend when it’s time to spend.NEW!Satsuki Katayama
It’s a statement that starts from the well-known fact that a nation carries debt and then lays out a way of thinking about that debt.
While acknowledging as a fact that having no debt is preferable, it conveys that there are priorities worth pursuing even if it means using debt.
Rather than only playing defense by focusing on repayment, it expresses the idea that at times of growth, it’s better to make appropriate use of borrowing.
While valuing the principle of not passing debt on to others, it speaks to the difficulty and importance of striking the right balance by identifying the right moments to invest in growth.
We have been doing what’s needed to stabilize the market, and I can firmly promise we will keep doing so.NEW!Satsuki Katayama
In a world of economics where anxiety spreads easily, this is a crisp line that shows the nation’s sense of responsibility and readiness to stay the course.
Market stability is directly tied to everyday life—wages, jobs, prices.
Even without flashiness, it conveys the belief that supporting things behind the scenes builds a society where people can take on challenges with peace of mind.
Market stability quietly underpins our daily lives by curbing sudden price surges and protecting jobs and incomes.
It’s because we have a secure environment that we can learn and try new things.
These words make you feel that a quiet promise leads to confidence in the future.
Rest assured, you’re not at the age to turn into a dinosaur.NEW!Satsuki Katayama
When Ms.
Satsuki Katayama took office as Minister of Finance, she addressed the ministry’s senior officials with a touch of humor while also showing how she intended to lead as their boss.
The word “dinosaurs” refers to an infamous, anonymously circulated document within the ministry known as the “Dinosaur Rankings,” which listed scary bosses.
Drawing on that, she declared her determination not to become a scary boss.
It’s also an appeal for cooperation, expressing her resolve to engage properly with her subordinates and deliver solid results.
By bringing up the existence of this document, she also sent a strong signal that she has a keen eye on what’s happening within the ministry.
For a hopeful future for Japan, we must reset our mindset while preserving the good aspects.NEW!Satsuki Katayama
These words express the idea that while we should appreciate Japan’s enduring strengths, it’s sometimes necessary to make changes for a better future.
Clinging to past methods can, depending on the times, lead us in the wrong direction, so we should consider improvements to avoid that.
In particular, it emphasizes the importance of changing our mindset—urging us to aim for a hopeful future with flexible thinking.
It also conveys a political stance of exploring new approaches without being bound by convention.
Normally, unless they’re accomplices conspiring to evade taxes in a willful and obvious way, people wouldn’t hand over a large number of blank receipts.NEW!Satsuki Katayama
There was a time when issuing blank receipts was rampant in the political world.
Ms.
Satsuki Katayama’s remarks on this issue are exactly on point.
People who hand over blank receipts—something that ordinarily would never be issued—are those who are evading taxes or intend to do so.
The excuse that they “only handed them over” won’t fly.
It’s a memorable quote that makes us consider how our actions are perceived by others and gives us a chance to reflect on ourselves.
Companionship is a good thing, but rather than conspiring to do wrong, I hope people will join hands toward a better future.
It’s very important to appeal to young people that their future is at stake and get them to go vote.NEW!Satsuki Katayama
A straightforward, sharp message to keep politics from being “someone else’s world.” You don’t need specialized knowledge to take part in elections—they’re a way to express your will for the future.
The more young voices are heard, the closer we get to a society we want—better education, ways of working, social security, and more.
To the feeling of “I can’t change anything on my own,” it gently says, “Your single vote has the power to shape the future.” The step you take now leads to an easier life for yourself a few years down the road.
That’s what elections are.