Japan’s former Prime Minister, Tomiichi Murayama, who made history for issuing a landmark apology over Japan’s wartime actions, has died at the age of 101.
Murayama, who served as prime minister from 1994 to 1996, passed away on Friday morning at a hospital in Oita City, according to Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party — the political successor to Murayama’s defunct Socialist Party.
“Tomiichi Murayama, the father of Japanese politics, passed away today at 11:28 a.m. at a hospital in Oita City at the age of 101,” Fukushima announced in a statement on X.
Hiroyuki Takano, secretary general of the Social Democratic Party in Oita, confirmed that the veteran politician died of old age.
Murayama gained global recognition for his 1995 statement marking the 50th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. In the declaration, he expressed “deep remorse” and offered a “heartfelt apology” for Japan’s colonial rule and aggression across Asia.
“Japan… through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations,” Murayama stated in the historic address.
“In the hope that no such mistake be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humility, these irrefutable facts of history and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology.”
The “Murayama Statement” became a diplomatic cornerstone for Japan’s post-war reconciliation efforts, with later prime ministers referencing its key phrases in subsequent anniversaries of World War II.
Murayama’s death marks the passing of one of Japan’s most respected political figures, remembered for his humility, moral courage, and commitment to peace in Asia.
