When I write a novel I put into play all the information inside me. It might be Japanese information or it might be Western; I don't draw a distinction between the two.

Pointless thinking is worse than no thinking at all.

People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest.

I'm often asked what I think about as I run. Usually the people who ask this have never run long distances themselves. I always ponder the question. What exactly do I think about when I'm running? I don't have a clue.

If you're young and talented, it's like you have wings.

No matter what form the relationship might take, he was the only person she could picture sharing her life with.

Whenever I write a novel, music just sort of naturally slips in (much like cats do, I suppose).