A politician’s words inevitably reflect their convictions and resolve.Katsuya Okada is known for having served as Foreign Minister and as the Democratic Party’s leader during its time in power, playing a leading role in Japanese politics for many years.He is often seen as earnest and straightforward, but did you know he has made a number of memorable remarks over the years?In this article, we introduce some of Katsuya Okada’s notable quotes to date.We hope you’ll read to the end to catch a glimpse of his approach to politics and the decisiveness he has shown in difficult moments.
- Yoshihiko Noda’s famous quotes: profound words that exude sincerity
- [Sanae Takaichi] Quotes that reflect conviction and resolve. Powerful words with an eye on the future
- Satsuki Katayama’s famous quotes: Looking back at the sharp words she delivered in the political arena
- [Yuichiro Tamaki] A passionate message to politics and the people. Memorable, impactful words.
- Kazuyoshi Shimba’s fiery quotes: words spoken from the citizens’ perspective
- [Yoshihide Suga] Lessons on Work and Life Mindset from His Notable Quotes: Words That Quietly Stir the Heart
- Fiery quotes by Shigeharu Aoyama: words that stay true to conviction
- Shinjiro Koizumi’s quotes that make you do a double take! A slowly-sinking-in collection of uniquely original sayings
- [Kimi Onoda] Exhilaratingly bold quotes. Unvarnished, no-sugarcoating, cool words
- A collection of resonant quotes by Sohei Kamiya that pierce the heart: passionate words born from love for Japan.
- Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan
- [Taro Aso] Exhilarating, sharp-tongued, and cool quotes. Powerful, thought-provoking messages
- Akiko Oishi’s quotes are exhilarating—razor-sharp words that make you slap your knee.
Katsuya Okada’s Quotations: A Collection of Words that Reveal a Politician’s True Feelings (1–10)
In times of need, we must build solid systems in which politics provides support, rather than leaving it to individual responsibility.Katsuya Okada
@miyazakinobuyuki Katsuya OkadaConstitutional Democratic Party of JapanTranslationpoliticianTranslationKentaro YazakiMiyazaki NobuyukiPhotographed by Nobuyuki Miyazaki
♬ Hanabi – Mr.Children
Politics, by its very nature, exists to protect the people.
There is nothing sadder, as a citizen, than not being protected when it truly matters.
With these words, Mr.
Okada conveys his desire to build a politics where anyone who seeks help can have a hand extended to them.
Many people are living with hardship due to various impacts, led by rising prices.
Shouldn’t we cast our votes in elections to choose those who will use the power of politics to protect us when the time comes?
This is no time to be apathetic.Katsuya Okada
@miyazakinobuyuki Chiharu Takeuchi Katsuya Okada Photographed by Nobuyuki Miyazaki
Original Song – [Former Nikkei Newspaper Reporter] Nobuyuki Miyazaki, Political Journalist – [Former Nikkei Newspaper Reporter] Nobuyuki Miyazaki, Political Journalist
Voter turnout is low in every election, and many people probably feel disenchanted with the whole process.
Still, casting your vote is essential if we want to change the future.
People often say that a single vote from a single person won’t make a difference, but even so, that one vote is precious—for your own future, for the children yet to be born, and for the future of Japan itself.
Rather than becoming jaded and thinking that nothing will change no matter what we do, Okada is using these words to call on us to take the first step.
I can’t accept that explanation. It’s a betrayal of the voters who wrote ‘Shinshintō’ (New Frontier Party).Katsuya Okada
Mr.
Okada often makes remarks that exude sincerity, and this statement can also be said to succinctly express that sincerity of his.
Rather than going along with the powerful or bowing to authority, he clearly voices what he believes is wrong.
Because of that, many people may find him trustworthy.
Moreover, the way he foregrounds “I think” as his own opinion may further reinforce the image of him as a politician with firm views.
It’s hard to understand being criticized for asking pointed questions about what was discussed in the Diet.Katsuya Okada
@buzz.news3 Katsuya Okada of the Constitutional Democratic Party: “The one who’s wrong is Prime Minister Takaichi.”Liberal Democratic PartySanae TakaichiConstitutional Democratic Party of JapanTaiwan contingency
♪ Original Song – Japan BUZZ NEWS!! – Japan BUZZ NEWS!!
Regarding questioning in the Diet, isn’t it the case that asking sharp questions cannot be considered criticism? The more incisive the questions, the more finely honed politics becomes, so it’s strange that one would be criticized rather than appreciated for that.
We should avoid a situation where everyone becomes a yes-man to someone’s statements and, before we know it, decisions are made without the public’s involvement.
Mr.
Okada’s overly aggressive probing serves as a brake against that.
We need to firmly keep public sentiment under control.Katsuya Okada
@7m1z6♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound
Perhaps politics should proceed by moderately managing the public’s emotions—neither inflaming them nor dismissing them.
In fact, politics driven by emotion often leaves theory and conviction behind, and history records many cases where acting on emotion alone led to disastrous outcomes.
It is meaningful both to recognize that politics is not something to be conducted with emotion and to remain calm and keep emotions in check even when the public becomes emotional.
When discussing the issue of a situation that threatens Japan’s survival, we must keep firmly in mind that it involves Japan participating in war and poses a problem in which members of the Self-Defense Forces and the lives of citizens could suffer severe harm.Katsuya Okada
It is easy to imagine that an attack on another country with which Japan has close ties could threaten Japan’s very existence.
Mr.
Okada’s remarks are trying to convey whether people are concretely considering that, if that were to happen, Japan might end up participating in a war, leading to serious harm to Self-Defense Forces personnel and to the lives of the public.
It conveys a sense that everyone is thinking about how to ensure safer lives for the public.
I believe that insisting something can be done, when anyone can see it cannot, is plainly being dishonest to the public.Katsuya Okada
There are many politicians who, when running for office, line up a lot of pretty promises they can’t possibly keep in an attempt to get elected.
And after they win, does politics change? No, of course it doesn’t.
In that case, wouldn’t a politician like Mr.
Okada, who presents an honest middle ground, be more trustworthy? If refraining from dishonest pipe dreams and speaking only about what can truly be done is used as evidence of his sincerity, then isn’t that a good thing in its own right?
War is murder carried out by states.Katsuya Okada
War is a major problem that, despite being condemned as bad and undesirable around the world, stubbornly persists for the sake of the interests, pride, and selfishness of a select few.
In Japan, the constitution establishes a pledge not to wage war, yet even so, the country ends up supporting wars indirectly or risks being drawn into them.
In this context, the words Mr.
Okada clearly conveys express the truth that, whatever the reason, war is nothing other than state-sanctioned killing.
I want to cultivate it into a party that can responsibly take charge of Japan’s politics.Katsuya Okada
Perhaps there hasn’t been a party that can responsibly practice a uniquely Japanese kind of politics—one that isn’t about incitement or flaunting enthusiasm.
It would be wonderful if we could have grounded politics that make life easier for everyone.
Many voters may already be filled with distrust, unable to believe anything anymore, but in the end, the best party might be the one that works steadily, even if it seems unglamorous.
In that context, Mr.
Okada’s remarks may convey a sense of stability.
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
Mr.
Okada’s view that a politician should exist not to forcefully push through policies or drag the public along, but as a mediator who aligns people with one another is very sound, and it also seems imbued with the traditional Japanese ideal of cherishing harmony—an outlook long held by a people living on an island nation.
Politics rarely proceeds in such a manner, but it would be wonderful if the Centrist Reform Union to which Mr.
Okada belongs could conduct politics in this style, grounded in such ideas and convictions.