Tomiichi Murayama, the former Prime Minister of Japan known for his historic apology to Asian nations for Japan’s wartime aggression, has passed away at the age of 102, the Social Democratic Party announced through its leader Mizuho Fukushima.
Murayama, recognizable for his distinctive thick eyebrows, died in a hospital in his hometown of Oita, southwestern Japan.
Political Career
As the head of the Japan Socialist Party (now defunct), Murayama led a coalition government from June 1994 to January 1996.
Legacy: The Murayama Statement
He is widely remembered for the “Murayama Statement” of 1995, in which he expressed “sincere remorse and heartfelt apology” for the suffering inflicted by Japan on the peoples of Asia during its imperial expansion in the 20th century. This statement remains a significant moment in Japan’s post-war history and diplomacy.
Murayama’s commitment to acknowledging historical wrongs and promoting reconciliation left a lasting imprint on both Japanese politics and international relations in Asia.
