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Japan ex-PM Tomiichi Murayama, who apologised for WWII aggression, dies at 101

In a 1995 statement, Murayama expressed ‘deep remorse’ over Tokyo’s deeds that left a lasting legacy of bitterness with its neighbours.

Published: 6:20pm, 17 Oct 2025

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Former Japanese prime minister Tomiichi Murayama died on October 17, 2025, at the age of 101. Murayama was best known for his landmark apology for Japan’s World War II aggression 50 years after its surrender, an expression of contrition that became the standard for subsequent leaders.

Japan ex-PM Tomiichi Murayama, who apologised for WWII aggression, dies at 101

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}In a 1995 statement, Murayama expressed ‘deep remorse’ over Tokyo’s deeds that left a lasting legacy of bitterness with its neighbours.

In a 1995 statement, Murayama expressed ‘deep remorse’ over Tokyo’s deeds that left a lasting legacy of bitterness with its neighbours.