• Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama passed away at the age of 101.
• He is renowned for his 1995 apology for Japan's wartime actions, known as the "Murayama statement."
• The statement expressed "deep remorse" for Japan's aggression during WWII and set a precedent for future leaders.
• Murayama's leadership also encompassed challenges like the 1995 Kobe earthquake and a Tokyo subway gas attack.

Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama of Japan, known for his historic apology regarding the country's wartime actions, died on October 17 at the age of 101. His death was confirmed by Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party, the successor to Murayama’s Socialist Party, who stated he passed away at a hospital in Oita City due to old age, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Le Monde.

Murayama's legacy is primarily defined by his landmark 1995 statement issued on the 50th anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII. In this proclamation, he acknowledged Japan's past aggression and apologized to the Asian nations affected by its wartime actions. His words were unprecedented at the time, expressing “deep remorse” and emphasizing the importance of acknowledging historical facts. This apology became a standard for his successors, as noted in multiple accounts, including those from Channel News Asia and NPR.

During his tenure as prime minister from 1994 to 1996, Murayama led a coalition government that also included the Liberal Democratic Party. His administration faced several significant crises, notably the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake that killed over 6,000 people and the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack that caused widespread panic and casualties. Despite these challenges, Murayama is primarily remembered for the moral stance he took regarding Japan's past, a position he made clear following the 1995 disaster, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

After leaving office, Murayama remained vocal about issues relating to Japan's past, criticizing nationalistic views that sought to downplay the country's wartime actions. He continued to affirm the need for Japan to maintain good relations with its Asian neighbors, particularly China, reflecting on the "tremendous damage" caused during the war. He lamented attempts by some of his successors to move away from the legacy of his apology, emphasizing that such a historical view is "absolutely unacceptable," as reported by Le Monde and NPR.