Japan is mourning the loss of Tomiichi Murayama, its former prime minister and a central figure in the nation’s postwar reckoning, who died on October 17, 2025, at the age of 101. Murayama passed away at a hospital in his hometown of Oita, southwestern Japan, according to statements from Social Democratic Party officials. His legacy, both celebrated and contested, is deeply intertwined with Japan’s efforts to confront and apologize for its wartime past—a legacy that continues to shape Japanese politics and its relations with neighboring countries.
Murayama, who led a coalition government as head of the Japan Socialist Party from June 1994 to January 1996, remains best remembered for the so-called “Murayama statement.” This landmark apology was issued on August 15, 1995, marking the 50th anniversary of Japan’s unconditional surrender at the end of World War II. As reported by AFP and other outlets, Murayama’s statement acknowledged Japan’s “colonial rule and aggression” and the “tremendous damage and suffering” inflicted on many countries, particularly in Asia. The words he chose—"deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology"—echoed far beyond Japan’s borders and set a precedent for how the nation would address its wartime history for nearly two decades.
In the statement, Murayama declared: “During a certain period in the not too distant past, Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war ... and, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations.” He continued, “In the hope that no such mistake be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humility, these irrefutable facts of history, and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology.” According to AP and AFP, this statement became Japan’s main expression of remorse for its wartime and colonial past and was referenced by successive prime ministers on subsequent World War II anniversaries.
Murayama’s journey to the highest office was shaped by his roots in labor activism and local politics. First elected to parliament in 1972 as a socialist lawmaker, he had previously worked for a labor union and served in a local assembly. When he became prime minister in 1994, he broke with his party’s long-standing opposition to the Japan-U.S. security alliance and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, publicly recognizing them as constitutional. This move, delivered amid vocal dissent from his own party, signaled a pragmatic approach to governance during a period of significant political and social turbulence.
His tenure, though brief, was marked by both historic achievements and severe challenges. In 1995, Japan was rocked by two national tragedies: a massive earthquake in the western port city of Kobe, which killed more than 6,400 people, and the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, which left 13 dead and more than 6,000 injured. Murayama’s government faced sharp criticism for its slow response to both disasters—a point frequently noted by Japanese and international media. In a move that surprised many, Murayama resigned early in 1996, explaining that he had done what he could in a year that marked the pivotal 50th anniversary of the war’s end. He later reflected that the decision came while “looking at the blue sky in the new year,” as reported by AP.
Even after his official retirement from politics in 2000, Murayama remained an active and outspoken figure. He frequently criticized attempts by more nationalist successors to distance Japan from its wartime responsibility. According to AP, Murayama was particularly vocal about the government’s reluctance to acknowledge the suffering of Asian women forced into military brothels during the war. In a 2020 statement, he asserted, “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 also emphasized the need for Japan to establish lasting friendships with its neighbors, especially China, in light of the “tremendous damage” caused by its past aggression. “In order to build peace and stability in Asia, we must build stable politics, economics, cultural interactions and development,” he said, as quoted by AP.
The Murayama statement set a standard for Japanese prime ministers’ apologies until 2013. That year, nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe broke with tradition, arguing—along with members of his Liberal Democratic Party—that repeated apologies interfered with Japan’s national pride. Abe’s decision marked a turning point, as subsequent leaders became more cautious in their language. Notably, Abe’s protégé, Sanae Takaichi, who was recently elected party leader and is poised to become prime minister, has also questioned the necessity of continued apologies.
Yet, the resonance of Murayama’s words endures. This year, outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba used the word “remorse” in his annual August 15 address, marking the first time since Abe’s tenure that a Japanese leader has invoked such language. This return, however tentative, to the spirit of Murayama’s apology suggests the ongoing debate within Japan over how to balance national pride with historical responsibility.
Murayama’s impact extends beyond the realm of political statements. The phrases “deep remorse” and “heartfelt apology” from his 1995 address have become touchstones in Japanese political discourse and are often cited in international discussions about reconciliation and historical memory. Successive Japanese leaders have grappled with the challenge of honoring Murayama’s legacy while managing domestic pressures and diplomatic relations—particularly with China and South Korea, where memories of Japanese aggression remain vivid and unresolved.
For many in Japan, Murayama is remembered as a principled leader who faced the country’s darkest chapters with honesty and humility. For others, his approach remains controversial, especially among those who argue that repeated apologies undermine Japan’s standing on the world stage. Still, his centenarian life—spanning labor activism, parliamentary service, national crisis management, and post-retirement advocacy—reflects a commitment to public service and a belief in the power of words to shape history.
As Japan reflects on the passing of Tomiichi Murayama, the nation is reminded that the work of reckoning with the past is never truly finished. His legacy, both in the text of his famous statement and in the debates it continues to inspire, ensures that the conversation about history, responsibility, and reconciliation will go on.
