The former Social Democratic Prime Minister of Japan, Murayama Tomiichi died on Friday. He was 101.
He reportedly passed away at a hospital in Oita City, Oita Prefecture in southwestern Japan, due to natural causes.
A native of Oita City, he was involved in labor union activities before serving as a member of the city and prefectural assemblies.
He was first elected to the Lower House of the Diet in 1972. He went on to win a total of eight terms.
Murayama served as his party's Diet affairs committee chief and later as its leader.
In June 1994, he took office as prime minister, leading a coalition government.
On August 15, 1995, as Japan marked the 50th anniversary of the end of World War Two, Murayama issued a statement expressing deep remorse and a heartfelt apology for Japan's past colonial rule and aggression.
During his term as prime minister from 1994 to 1996, he faced a series of crises that tested his leadership. These included the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and the hijacking of an All Nippon Airways plane, all in 1995.
Murayama abruptly announced his resignation as prime minister in January 1996. Hashimoto Ryutaro, then president of the coalition partner Liberal Democratic Party, succeeded him.
Murayama never returned to the Cabinet and devoted himself to party affairs. He was reelected as the leader of the Social Democratic Party. In 1999, he visited North Korea as the head of a cross-party delegation.

Quiz 1:
Who passed away at a hospital in Oita City on October 17th, 2025?
A. Hashimoto Ryutaro
B. Murayama Tomiichi
C. Unknown politician
D. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party

Quiz 2:
What position did Murayama Tomiichi hold before serving as a member of the Lower House of the Diet?
A. Union leader
B. Governor of Oita Prefecture
C. Secretary of Defense
D. Supreme Court Justice

Quiz 3:
When did Murayama Tomiichi serve as Prime Minister of Japan?
A. 1972-1976
B. 1980-1984
C. 1994-1996
D. 2000-2004

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B
Quiz 2: A
Quiz 3: C