The President regards the Japanese as a brave people but courage though useful in time of war is subordinate to knowledge of arts hence courage without such knowledge is not to be highly esteemed.

When I was in Japan on tour in 2010 I felt like I was 30 years into the future. I love technology and they are so advanced with their phones computers everything. I think they had the iPhone way before we did in the U.S. I love gadgets games social media and I try to stay ahead on all that stuff but they get it all first.

What do we want our kids to do? Sweep up around Japanese computers?

If your computer speaks English it was probably made in Japan.

In addition to this they already have a fuel cell car on the road in Japan. It is subsidized from within the corporation because they are still at a high cost.

In Japan they have TV sets in cars right now where you can punch up traffic routes weather everything! You can get Internet access already in cars in Japan so within the next 2 to 3 years it's gonna be so crazy!

There is a Japanese proverb that literally goes 'Raise the sail with your stronger hand ' meaning you must go after the opportunities that arise in life that you are best equipped to do.

One must learn if one is to see the beauty in Japan to like an extraordinarily restrained and delicate loveliness.

First there is the bare beauty of the logs themselves with their long lines and firm curves. Then there is the open charm felt of the structural features which are not hidden under plaster and ornament but are clearly revealed a charm felt in Japanese architecture.

I acquired an admiration for Japanese culture art and architecture and learned of the existence of the game of GO which I still play.

After World War II great strides were made in modern Japanese architecture not only in advanced technology allowing earthquake resistant tall buildings but expressing and infusing characteristics of traditional Japanese architecture in modern buildings.

Spiritual space is lost in gaining convenience. I saw the need to create a mixture of Japanese spiritual culture and modern western architecture.

Japanese architecture is traditionally based on wooden structures that need renovating on a regular basis.

Japanese traditional architecture is created based on these conditions. This is the reason you have a very high degree of connection between the outside and inside in architecture.

Of all the lessons most relevant to architecture today Japanese flexibility is the greatest.

If you examine this I think that you will find that it's the mechanics of Japanese architecture that have been thought of as the direct influence upon our architecture.

Japanese architecture is very much copied in this country and in Europe.

The new architecture of transparency and lightness comes from Japan and Europe.

When you look at Japanese traditional architecture you have to look at Japanese culture and its relationship with nature. You can actually live in a harmonious close contact with nature - this very unique to Japan.

I like what I see now in China but I think the Japanese are a step ahead into craziness and weirdness. I go to galleries there that are the size of a New York elevator and every time I'm surprised by the amazing things I find. I really hope I'll be able to promote some of these artists to show their work in the West.

Today osteoporosis affects more than 75 million people in the United States Europe and Japan and causes more than 2.3 million fractures in the USA and Europe alone.

European investment in Texas alone exceeds all U.S. investment in China and Japan put together.