Former Prime Minister of Japan Murayama Tomiichi turned 100 on Sunday. He expressed the wish that the country will continue to be peaceful.

Murayama was born in 1924 in Oita Prefecture in southwestern Japan.

He took office in 1994. With his trademark thick and long eyebrows, he acquired a reputation as a prime minster for common people.

People close to him told reporters that he now spends his time taking daily walks around his home and enjoys watching the sumo grand tournaments on TV.

Last month, alumni from the university where he graduated gave him a compiled file of newspapers published on March 3 over the past 100 years as a memorial gift.

Murayama issued a statement to mark his birthday, saying that not pushing one's self too hard is a tip for longevity and that he finds himself happy spending time with his family.

He said he wants to cherish each and every coming day while taking care of his health.

In 1995, Murayama led the government's handling of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that hit Japan, which left more than 6,400 people dead.

Only two months later, the Aum Shinrikyo cult shocked the country with its sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system, killing 14 people and injuring 6,300 others.

He served in the top post for around 18 months before stepping down.