Tokyo, Oct. 17 -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who served as leader of the country in the mid-1990s, passed away in his hometown Oita, at the age of 101, Kyodo News reported.
Born on March 3, 1924, in Oita Prefecture, Murayama became chairman of the Japan Socialist Party in 1993 and served as prime minister from June 1994 through January 1996.
On Aug. 15, 1995, Murayama issued a cabinet-endorsed statement in his name to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, which declared that "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...