China has offered its condolences on the passing of Tomiichi Murayama, a former Japanese prime minister who gave a landmark statement expressing “deep remorse” at the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
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Murayama, who led Japan from June 1994 to January 1996, died on Friday at the age of 101.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Friday conveyed “deep condolences” and “sincere sympathies” to Murayama’s family.
“Mr. Murayama was China’s old friend,” said Lin. “He will always be remembered for his contributions to the cause of China-Japan friendship.”
Calling him “a politician with a strong sense of justice”, Lin cited Murayama’s historic visit to China.
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In 1995, Murayama became the first sitting Japanese prime minister to visit the Marco Polo Bridge – the location considered to be the starting point of Japan’s full-scale war with China in 1937.
