Tomiichi Murayama, former Prime Minister of Japan known for having apologized for the atrocities committed by the Japanese in World War II, has died at the age of 101.

Tomiichi Murayama, former Prime Minister of Japan, passed away on Friday at the age of 101, according to official announcements. Murayama was in power from 1994 to 1996 and is renowned for his 1995 statement in which he expressed "sincere apologies" and "deep remorse" for the atrocities committed by Japan during World War II. This statement became a benchmark for subsequent apologies from Japanese leaders.

The leader of the Social Democratic Party, Mizuho Fukushima, confirmed his death on social media. Murayama was elected prime minister in a coalition government and led during major events such as the 1995 earthquake and the sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway. Enlisted in the army in 1944, he later described his experiences as "terrible" and emphasized the lack of freedom of expression during the war.