To be honest, when [Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee head Yoshiro] Mori first came to me with the idea [of appearing at the closing ceremony dressed as Super Mario], I didn’t like it [laughs], ‘Is it really OK for a prime minister to dress up like Mario?’ I asked. As much as possible, I wanted to avoid any politicizing of the Olympics, and it’s a 20-hour flight to Rio.

Shinzo Abe

The future of Japan's economic growth depends on us having the willpower and the courage to sail without hesitation onto the rough seas of global competition.

Shinzo Abe

japan competition sea

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

Shinzo Abe

japan politician giving

I promise to protect Japan's land and sea, and the lives of the Japanese people no matter what.

Shinzo Abe

japan land sea

The sluggish economy is creating a situation where the young people in Japan cannot cherish their desires or have prospects for their future. Also, the decline in Japan's economic capability is resulting in a declining presence for Japan's foreign policy as well.

Shinzo Abe

japan creating strong

There isn't anything anybody wants that is for any other reason than that they think they would feel better in having it.

Shinzo Abe

feel-better motivational thinking

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.

Shinzo Abe

japan taken heart

The Japan-U.S. alliance is an irreplaceable alliance. And I would like to further consolidate and broaden that alliance.

Shinzo Abe

irreplaceable alliances japan

Japan will change. Let's create a country where innovation is constantly happening, giving birth to new industries to lead the world, when I visit Silicon Valley I want to think about how we can take Silicon Valley's ways and make them work in Japan.

Shinzo Abe

change country thinking

The Senkaku islands are inherently Japanese territory. I want to show my strong determination to prevent this from changing.

Shinzo Abe

strong determination islands

For China to continue to enjoy economic prosperity, it needs to foster trusting international relationships, not tensions ... and it is important for China to understand this.

Shinzo Abe

prosperity important needs

Our predecessors overcame many troubles and much suffering, but each time got back up stronger than before.

Shinzo Abe

stronger trouble suffering

I am a patriot. I would think there are no politicians who are not patriots. Since I am a politician, I often get criticized, as I try to exercise what I believe to be right. However, if you mind such criticism, I think you can't protect people's lives.

Shinzo Abe

exercise believe thinking

While our responses to the problems facing us immediately are also important, we cannot forget to carve out the future of Japan ten or one hundred years into the future. In doing so, we must not resort to superficial measures. Instead, it is imperative to engage in true reforms that ascertain the state of society we seek to achieve.

Shinzo Abe

japan important years

It is important to explain fully to the local areas with sincerity. We will also think, of course, about the development promotion of the communities.

Shinzo Abe

community important thinking

To serve as prime minister while being too mindful of the approval rating is like serving as a prime minister on a roller coaster. What is important, I believe, is that I really act on promises that I make and leave results. Leave a track record and show that to the Japanese public, who will, at the end of the day, I hope, appreciate it.

Shinzo Abe

approval-rating track believe

In a world that is deepening its mutual interdependence, inward-focused thinking is no longer able to safeguard the peace of Japan. We will fully defend the lives and assets of our nationals as well as our territory, territorial waters, and territorial airspace in a resolute manner.

Shinzo Abe

japan water thinking

I did learn from many mistakes. First and foremost, I learned that it is important to create a wide base of support within the LDP. In forming the cabinet this time, I included almost all the members of the LDP whom I ran against during the party election for president. Also, as a result of the lessons I learned, this time my policy priorities have become very clear. This would include first and foremost restoring a robust economy. I believe this has resulted in the strong support that I am getting from the people.

Shinzo Abe

party strong mistake

It is my belief that politicians should not be stepping into the realm of history. Rather, politicians should be taking a future-oriented perspective.

Shinzo Abe

perspective politician belief

I believe it is important that we Japanese write a constitution for ourselves that would reflect the shape of the country we consider desirable in the 21st century.

Shinzo Abe

writing believe country

I paid a visit to Yasukuni Shrine to pray for the souls of those who had fought for the country and made ultimate sacrifices. I have made a pledge never to wage war again, that we must build a world that is free from the sufferings of the devastation of war.

Shinzo Abe

sacrifice war country