Joichi Ito Quotes

Is Turkey one of the Ayrab countries with which you don't get on very well?

The German people mistrust the Anglo-Saxons in the belief that they begrudge Germany her legitimate economic expansion…. Between Germany and France the gulf of mistrust is much deeper… the historical controversy between the two neighbors appears in French eyes as merely the result of permanent Teutonic aggression throughout the centuries.

A war between Europeans is a civil war.

The greater concerns in China and Taiwan are on the political side, not on the economic side.

I believe it is still true that conflicts among major powers usually stem from geopolitical rivalries but rarely from economic competition.

We encounter the big stumbling block in any of our calculations in regard to the folks over in Europe. The racial feuds, fanned through generations of strife, are not helpful in working out methods which are economically sound.

… the idea of nationality, has caused more damage to the economic system of Europe, however extraordinary that may seem, than the idea of plunder… The stumbling block is the difficulty of separating racial groups in Europe. Apart from the large countries where war, often prolonged for centuries, has cemented the nations, the races which fought for the possession of the continent--Latin, Teuton and Slav--have remained in conflict. They are still encamped upon the ground, always in a state of hostility, yet subject to interpenetration.

As European history makes painfully clear, a return to aggressive nationalism could be dangerous, not just for the continent but also for the world.

India-Pakistan war and romance have always been sensitive issues for film-makers in both the countries.

Central Europe is full of little countries standing shoulder to shoulder with no window to the sea. They are like the passengers in a rush-hour train which has stopped between stations for three centuries. And they all hate one another. And they're all crushed together waving their national flags, clanking their national chains, jabbering their national language.

In the Middle East, the conflict today is a matter of generations and not of cultures.

Experience has shown how deeply the seeds of war are planted by economic rivalry and social injustice.

Foe means enemy. Now, will we have differences of opinion with the Russians? Yes. Will they get mad at us from time to time, and we get mad at them? That's part of the normal diplomatic relations.

If Scotland and America go to war, I'm afraid I've already sworn in.

The disease of mutual distrust among nations is the bane of modern civilization.

I'm concerned with China growing at double or triple the rate of the West, that there will be tensions. One needs to do something to start addressing misunderstandings and frustration.

The Middle East is obviously an issue that has plagued the region for centuries.

Today, we have two Vietnams, side by side, North and South, exchanging and working. We may not agree with all that North Vietnam is doing, but they are living in peace. I would look for a better human rights record for North Vietnam, but they are living side by side.

Nevertheless, China was unfortunately unable to understand Japan's real position, and it is greatly to be regretted that the Sino-Japanese War became one of long duration.

The West will have to choose: either to come to terms with Russians, or to receive a retaliatory blow. This retaliatory blow will not be by means of war. We will resort to the same weapon: nationalism.

Except for the projects in Israel, my being Israeli has contributed negatively to my global activity. It is hard for me, for example, to get projects in the Persian Gulf emirates.

Everything that could produce a clash between the Arab world and the West seemed dangerous to me.

The principal cause of war is war itself.

The natural alliance is between ourselves and the great German Empire.

The underlying dynamic of many communal wars is a security problem driven by mutual fear. Especially in states lacking strong central governments, communal groups worry that other groups with historical grievances will try to settle scores.