You have your own culture and your own ways of doing things. I hope Japan continues on this path.

Any good job is a good job. This whole concept of a dead-end job? It's not true. I've heard it my whole life. Jobs lead to dignity. If you're good at the first, then you can get the second. Jobs lead to household formation. Jobs are a better solution for society.

No one has the right to not assume that the business cycle will turn! Every five years or so, you have got to assume that something bad will happen.

All businesses tend to pass costs onto customers.

I always tell people, "There's a book on everyone." I get some of that book before I do anything. If I want to deeply understand someone's reputation, I'll talk to their friends, their former bosses, their peers, and I'll learn a lot about them. I want them to be trusted. I want them to be respected. I want them to give a s - -. Then there are the intangibles: physical and emotional stamina, the ability to confront issues. I can ask all I want about those things, but I also have to see a lot of it.

More people are working, lending is up and savings are up. These are all positive signs for a strengthening economy.

I also believe that most of the emerging economies have a fairly large amount of foreign exchange reserves, relative to 10 years ago.