Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama dies at the age of 101
Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama died today, Friday, at the age of 101, due to old age, in a hospital in southwestern Japan, according to what his local party branch announced.
Murayama served as prime minister from June 1994 until January 1996, and was the first socialist prime minister in Japan in nearly five decades, and led a non-partisan coalition. An unprecedented inclusion of the Social Democratic Party and the conservative Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, along with the Sakigaki Party. A former dissident from the ruling party – according to what was reported by the Japanese Kyodo News Agency.
Murayama became famous at the local and international levels for issuing a historic statement in 1995 on the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II, in which he offered a sincere apology for the "enormous damage and suffering" Caused by Japan during its colonialism and military expansion in Asia. What is known as the "Murayama Statement" As a moral reference by successive Japanese governments, despite the fact that he sparked internal controversy at the time within the ranks of conservative parties.
During his relatively short rule, Murayama dealt with major crises, most notably the devastating Hanshin earthquake in 1995 and the sarin gas attack in the Tokyo metro by the “Aum Shinrikyo” group. He also launched initiatives to address environmental issues such as the Minamata mercury tragedy, and contributed to the establishment of the “Asian Women’s Fund.” To compensate victims of sexual slavery during the war. After retiring from politics in 2000, Murayama devoted his final years to peace issues and improving relations with North Korea.
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