Former Japanese PM Tomiichi Murayama Dies at 101: The Legacy of His Historic Wartime Apology

Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama has passed away at the age of 101, according to an announcement from the Social Democratic Party of Japan.

Murayama, who served as Japan's prime minister from June 1994 to January 1996, died in a hospital in his hometown of Oita in southwestern Japan on Friday.

He gained international recognition for his historic "Murayama statement" delivered on August 15, 1995, marking the 50th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. This statement has been widely regarded as Japan's most significant official apology for its wartime and colonial aggression.

In his landmark apology, Murayama acknowledged that Japan had "followed a mistaken national policy" that led to war, and through "colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations." He expressed "deep remorse" and offered a "heartfelt apology" for these actions.

Before becoming prime minister, Murayama had a background in labor unions and local politics before being elected to parliament in 1972 as a socialist lawmaker. During his tenure as prime minister, he made the significant decision to break with his party's traditional opposition to the Japan-U.S. security alliance and recognized Japan's Self-Defense Forces as constitutional.

Murayama's administration faced two major crises in 1995: the devastating Kobe earthquake that claimed over 6,400 lives and the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack that killed 13 people and injured more than 6,000. His government received criticism for its slow response to both disasters.

He unexpectedly resigned in early 1996 after returning from the New Year holidays, stating that he had accomplished what he could during the significant 50th anniversary year of the end of World War II.

Even after his retirement from politics in 2000, Murayama remained an outspoken critic of attempts by more nationalist successors to downplay Japan's wartime responsibilities. His statement set a precedent that was followed by subsequent prime ministers for nearly two decades until Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration shifted away from this position in 2013.

Murayama was also vocal about Japan's need to acknowledge its systematic exploitation of "comfort women" during World War II and emphasized the importance of Japan establishing lasting friendships with its Asian neighbors, particularly China.

"A historical view saying Japan's war was not aggression, or calling it justice or liberation from colonialism, is absolutely unacceptable not only in China, South Korea or other Asian countries but also in America and Europe," Murayama stated in 2020.

He consistently advocated for regional peace and stability through improved political, economic, and cultural relations, recognizing that Japan must address its past to build a better future in Asia.