The former prime minister of Japan Tomiichi Murayamaknown for its “Murayama statement” of 1995 in which he apologized to the Asian victims of his country’s war aggression, passed away on friday. He was 101 years old.
Murayama died in a hospital in his hometown of Oita, in southwestern Japan, he said in a statement. Mizuho Fukushimathe leader of the Social Democratic Party of Japan.
As leader of what was then known as the Japan Socialist Party, Murayama headed a coalition government between June 1994 and January 1996.
The apology he issued as prime minister on August 15, 1995, on the 50th anniversary of Japan’s unconditional surrender that ended World War II, sIt is considered Japan’s main expression of regret for its war and colonial past.. Since then, it was supported by all prime ministers up to the nationalist Shinzo Abe in 2013.
The Murayama Declaration
In the Murayama statement, the former prime minister recognized that Japan, “following a wrong national policy,” advanced down the path of warand that, “through its colonial rule and aggression,” caused “tremendous harm and suffering” to the people of many countries, especially those in Asia.
Murayama will be remembered for his statement of apology. Photo: REUTERHe expressed “feelings of deep remorse” and “a sincere apology” for those past actions, and expressed himself in a spirit of humility to “make good faith the foundation of government policy.”
Also, in the same context, he addressed especially the issue of “comfort women,” apologizing for the emotional and physical suffering they suffered, declaring that it was “totally unforgivable.”
Chinese recognition
Upon hearing the news, China expressed its deepest condolences and conveyed its most sincere condolences to his family, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday. Lin Jianwho added that Murayama will always be remembered as a person who contributed to the friendship between China and Japan.
Murayama was the leader of the Japanese Socialist party. Photo: APLin said at a news conference that Murayama He was an old friend of the Chinese people and had been committed to the friendship between both countries over the years.
During a visit to China in May 1995, the then prime minister visited the Lugou Bridge in Beijing and the adjacent Museum of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, where he wrote in a visitor’s book: «Facing history and praying for friendship and lasting peace between Japan and China.»
On August 15 of that same year, the 50th anniversary of Japan’s announcement of its unconditional surrender in the war, Murayama published a statement related to Japanese historical issues, in which he deeply reflected on Japan’s colonial rule and aggression, and expressed his apologies to the countries that had been victims of the war, the spokesperson recalled.
Likewise, he stressed that as a politician with a strong sense of justice, Murayama’s contributions to promoting Sino-Japanese friendship will be forever remembered.
