Fumio Kishida

“We need to protect free trade as a guiding principle for Japan.”

“Rules must be respected... and if one wants to change then a consensus is required.”

“Japan's national sport is sumo, and we expect the yokozuna, the highest-ranked wrestlers of sumo, to embody the ideals of 'spirit, technique and strength.'”

“What is crucial is for any and all countries to be under the rule of law, not the rule by force, which we absolutely cannot allow.”

“We will develop clean energy by backing domestic production of storage batteries and promoting electric vehicles.”

“Capitalism isn't sustainable unless it is something that belongs to all stakeholders.”

“I feel strongly from my experience of serving as foreign minister for four years and eight months that there is nothing stronger than diplomacy and security with the understanding and support of the people.”

“It indeed serves no-one's interest - neither Japan's, China's or relevant countries - to have an accidental incident between the two countries.”

“Family-related social expenditures should not be a lower priority than defense-spending. As a country, Japan attaches great importance to it.”

“There has been an overreliance on competition and self-regulation to constrain the excesses of market forces. This must change.”

“Everyone just considers regulatory reform in terms of market fundamentalism, competition and survival of the fittest. That's the problem with our past thinking on regulatory reform.”

“We need to resolve issues lying between Japan and South Korea.”

“We must think about nuclear power given rising electricity and gas prices.”

“France is a leading partner for establishing a free and open Indo-Pacific space.”

“We should continue to explain clearly that Japan's past as a peace loving nation would not change in the future.”

“It's hard to put a figure on what level of inflation is appropriate. But I strongly feel that we would not be able to maintain a sustainable economy or protect people's livelihoods without seeing a hike in wages that is commensurate with price rises.”

“It goes without saying that Japan-U.S. alliance is the linchpin of Japan's diplomatic and security policy.”

“Corporate governance is important for small- and medium-sized enterprises, but they can't do it in the same way as big companies.”

“I want to achieve a virtuous economic cycle by raising the incomes of not just a certain segment, but a broader range of people to trigger consumption.”

“International agreements and promises must be fulfilled.”