According to @ CCTV International News, on the 17th local time, former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama died at the age of 101.
Born in Kyushu County in March 1924, he was first elected to the Japanese Parliament in 1972. In June 1994, he was elected prime minister in the three-party coalition government of the Self-Democratic Party, the Socialist Party and the Pioneer New Party. During his reign, he advocated “the pigeons and the people’s politics”, upheld the peaceful constitution, and followed the path of a peaceful country. In May 1995, he visited China and became the first Japanese prime minister to visit the Lu Cua Bridge and the Chinese People’s War Memorial.
On August 15th, 1995, Murayama delivered the "Murayama Talk" on the 50th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, which triggered extensive discussion at home and abroad in Japan. Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe, who became prime ministers of Japan after him, also made "Koizumi talk" and "Abe talk" on the 60th and 70th anniversaries of the victory of the world anti-fascist war, respectively, and followed some expressions in "Murayama talk". In his talk, Murayama said that Japan's colonial rule and aggression "brought great damage and suffering to many countries, especially the people of Asian countries". He expressed "deep introspection and heartfelt apology" for this, and expressed "deep condolences to all people at home and abroad who suffered from the disaster". Japan "should base itself on profound reflection on the past, eliminate self-righteous nationalism, promote international coordination as a responsible member of the international community, and promote the concept of peace and democracy".
Source: @CCTV International Times, Global Network, Central TV News Client