I am confident that Japan will recover and rebuild because of the strength and spirit of the Japanese people. Over the last few days, they've opened up their homes to one another. They've shared scarce resources of food and water. They've organized shelters, provided free medical care, and looked out for their most vulnerable citizens. One man put it simply: It's a Japanese thing. When hard times hit, we have to help each other.

Address on the natural and nuclear energy disasters in Japan (March 2011)