Japan Mourns Ex-PM Murayama, Famous for WWII Apology

Tomiichi Murayama, former Japanese prime minister and a symbol of national accountability, has died at the age of 101.

Best known for his landmark 1995 statement expressing “deep remorse” for Japan’s actions in World War II, Murayama’s apology became a benchmark for future leaders acknowledging Japan’s wartime atrocities.

Serving from 1994 to 1996 during a turbulent period marked by a devastating earthquake and the sarin gas attack in Tokyo, he was also a survivor of Japan’s Imperial Army, later reflecting on the horrors and futility of war.

Known for his distinctive bushy eyebrows and calm moral authority, Murayama shaped Japan’s approach to history, diplomacy, and public accountability, leaving a legacy of humility and ethical leadership that resonated far beyond his tenure.