Shinzo Abe

“Japan and Australia share the universal values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental human rights.”

“The 20th century was a century in which human rights were infringed upon in numerous parts of the world, and Japan also bears responsibility in that regard. I believe that we have to look at our own history with humility and think about our responsibility.”

“I often say to entrepreneurs, 'If Lehman Brothers were Lehman Brothers & Sisters, it wouldn't have gone into bankruptcy.'”

“I have to express sympathy from the bottom of my heart to those people who were taken as wartime comfort women. As a human being, I would like to express my sympathies, and also as prime minister of Japan I need to apologize to them.”

“In Japan, usually, once you become prime minister, you do not have a second chance.”

“On the 26th of December of last year, I took office for my second term as prime minister. And it is the first time ever since then-Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, during the occupation period, that a prime minister is taking this position for the second time with a number of years in between.”

“The dolphin fishing that takes place in Taiji town is an ancient fishing practice deeply rooted in their culture and their practices and supports their livelihoods.”

“When President Obama visited Japan, we were able to confirm that our alliance is playing a leading role in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific.”

“סוג החברה שיפן צריכה לשאוף אליה היא חברה שבה מאמציהם של אנשים מתוגמלים, חברה שבה אין חלוקה בין המנצחים והמפסידים, חברה שבה דרכי העבודה, הלמידה והחיים מגוונות ומרובות מסלולים – במילים אחרות, חברה של הזדמנויות שבה לכל אחד יש שוב הזדמנות לאתגר.”

“נבסס את מערכת המס העתידית על שלושת העקרונות של הגינות, ניטרליות ופשטות.”

“תמיד אמרתי שהפוליטיקה אחראית לתוצאות. אין לי שום כוונה לברוח מהאחריות הזו. כראש ממשלה, אגן על חייהם ופרנסתם של האנשים.”

“האולימפיאדה נותנת לעולם חלום ומחברת בין אנשים.”

“אתה עלול להיכשל פעמים רבות. הדבר החשוב הוא לקום משם. ואם תוכל ללמוד מהטעויות, זה יהיה אפילו טוב יותר.”

“We welcome the Obama administration's policy called the 'pivot to Asia' because it is a contributing factor to the safety and peace of the region. I think this pivot policy is playing an indispensable role in enhancing the deterrence of the U.S.-Japan alliance as well as ensuring peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“In 1957, which is now 57 years ago, my grandfather and then-Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi welcomed Prime Minister Menzies as the first Australian Prime Minister to visit Japan after World War II and drove the conclusion of the Japan-Australia Agreement on Commerce.”

“I think it is the responsibility of anyone involved in politics to always think of what Japan can do to contribute more to the peace and stability not just of Japan and the region but of the entire world.”

“I have experienced failure as a politician and for that very reason, I am ready to give everything for Japan.”

“The visits Prime Minister Koizumi made to the Yasukuni Shrine, I believe, had nothing to do with approval ratings. He paid respects at the Yasukuni Shrine to pay respects to the people of Japan who fought and lost their lives for the country and to pray for the peace of their souls.”

“Japan will help vulnerable developing nations make progress on emissions. In fact, we pledged assistance of about $16 billion over three years from 2013 and met this goal in about a year and a half.”

“As a country with experience of coping with earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters, Japan believes in emphasizing the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction. We therefore prioritize investment in disaster prevention and post-disaster improvements under a policy of Build Back Better (BBB).”