On the status of politicians in Japan: 'in Japan people avoid going into politics. I was really looked down on in literary circles [when I went into politics].'

On political parties: 'A party is a political tool. If it's no longer useful, it should be crumpled up and thrown away.'

Regarding the famous novelist Yukio Mishima: 'Japan is not the same since with him gone, but his politics were a joke.'

About himself: 'I'm an existentialist--freedom and passion are the most important things to me. I was horribly disappointed when I learned that Sartre was a Co…