2025年10月17日，日本政壇傳來一則歷史性的消息——前首相村山富市（Murayama Tomiichi）於當天辭世，享年101歲。這位曾在日本戰後政治舞台上留下深遠印記的前領導人，不僅以其「村山談話」聞名於世，更因其真誠面對歷史、推動中日和解的姿態，被視為日本戰後政治中最具道德勇氣的代表之一。

村山富市生於1924年，出身於日本大分縣一個普通家庭。戰後，他加入日本社會黨，長期關注勞工權益與社會公平議題。1972年，他首次當選為國會眾議員，正式踏入政壇。儘管身處長期由自民黨壟斷的政治格局，村山憑藉其溫厚務實的性格與穩健的立場，在日本左派陣營中逐漸嶄露頭角。

1994年6月，日本政壇發生劇變。由於自民黨失去單獨執政優勢，當時的自由民主黨、社會黨與先驅新黨組成出乎外界預料的「聯合執政」體制。身為社會黨委員長的村山富市被推舉為首相，成為日本戰後歷史上首位出身左派政黨的首相。這一異常的政治組合，在當時被視為日本政治「大妥協」的象徵。

任職期間，村山以務實的協調者形象著稱。他在內政方面努力改善日本的社會保障制度，並致力於推動地方分權與重建長期被忽視的災區基礎設施。然而，他在國際政治舞台上的影響力，尤其是在歷史認知與外交關係上的作為，才真正讓他名留青史。

1995年5月，村山富市以首相身分正式訪問中國。他成為日本歷史上第一位到訪盧溝橋與中國人民抗日戰爭紀念館的在任首相。當他在紀念館題詞「正視歷史，祈日中友好、永久和平」時，這一舉動在中日兩國引起強烈共鳴。中國官方與民間普遍對他的真誠表示肯定，認為他展現出與過往日本政治人物截然不同的歷史態度。

同年8月15日，正值日本二戰無條件投降50週年，村山內閣通過一項具有劃時代意義的決議——即著名的「村山談話」。這份談話不僅承認日本在過去「走上了錯誤的國策之路」，更以極為罕見的語氣直言，「日本的殖民統治與侵略給許多國家，特別是亞洲各國人民帶來了巨大損害與痛苦」。村山代表日本政府「深刻反省並表達由衷歉意」。

這是日本首相首次在“8·15”戰敗紀念日，以內閣決議的形式正式向受害國道歉，打破日本政治中長期存在的歷史沉默。此舉在亞洲各國引起廣泛反響，中國、韓國及東南亞國家普遍認為這是日本面對歷史的重要一步。然而，村山談話在日本國內也引發爭議，保守派批評他「過於低姿態」，但更多知識分子與民眾認為，他的誠懇與勇氣為日本贏回了部分國際信任。

1996年1月，村山以健康與政局壓力為由辭去首相職務，結束僅一年半的任期。離任後，他仍持續參與和平運動與國際交流，多次公開呼籲日本「勿忘戰爭教訓、堅守和平憲法」。他晚年淡出政治，但仍活躍於社會公益與教育活動，直至高齡仍常受邀發表演講，勉勵年輕世代珍惜和平。

村山富市的辭世，標誌著日本戰後一個時代的結束。對許多人而言，他象徵著日本戰後政治中「勇於面對歷史、以和平為志」的良知與力量。日本輿論普遍評價他為「誠實的政治家」、「和平的守望者」。而在中國與韓國等國，人們仍記得那位白髮蒼蒼、低頭鞠躬的日本首相——他曾用最真摯的語言，為歷史留下一句難得的懺悔與祝願：「正視歷史，祈日中友好、永久和平。」

On October 17, 2025, Japanese media reported that former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama had passed away at the age of 101. His death marks the end of an era for Japan’s postwar politics. Murayama, often described as a man of conscience and humility, is best remembered for his historic “Murayama Statement” and his sincere efforts to promote reconciliation with Asia—particularly China—through an honest acknowledgment of Japan’s wartime past.

Born in 1924 in Ōita Prefecture, Murayama grew up in a modest family and experienced the hardships of wartime Japan firsthand. After World War II, he joined the Japan Socialist Party (JSP), dedicating his career to labor rights, social welfare, and equality. In 1972, he was first elected to the House of Representatives, beginning a parliamentary career that would span more than two decades. Though the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had dominated Japanese politics for most of the postwar period, Murayama gradually rose to prominence within the opposition due to his integrity, pragmatism, and calm leadership style.

A major political turning point came in June 1994, when Japan’s fractured political scene led to an unprecedented coalition: the LDP, the Socialist Party, and the Sakigake (New Party) joined forces to form a government. Murayama, then chairman of the Socialist Party, was unexpectedly chosen as Prime Minister, making him the first left-leaning leader to head a Japanese government in the postwar era.

As prime minister, Murayama was known for his consensus-driven and humble approach. Domestically, he sought to strengthen Japan’s social safety net, promote regional development, and improve disaster response, especially in the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe Earthquake. But it was his actions in the field of foreign policy and historical recognition that secured his place in history.

In May 1995, Murayama became the first sitting Japanese prime minister to visit the Marco Polo Bridge (Lugouqiao) and the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing. At the memorial, he inscribed a heartfelt message: “Face history squarely; pray for everlasting peace and friendship between Japan and China.” His gesture of humility and reflection earned wide praise across China and the broader Asian region.

Then, on August 15, 1995—the 50th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II—Murayama delivered what became known as the “Murayama Statement.” Approved as an official Cabinet resolution, the statement was groundbreaking in tone and substance. Murayama openly admitted that Japan had “pursued a mistaken national policy,” that its “colonial rule and aggression caused tremendous damage and suffering to many countries, particularly to the people of Asia,” and that Japan must express its “deep remorse and heartfelt apology.”

This was the first time a Japanese prime minister had publicly apologized to the victims of Japan’s wartime aggression on the anniversary of its defeat, making it a turning point in Japan’s postwar diplomacy. The statement received global acclaim, especially in China and South Korea, where many viewed it as a sincere and courageous act of reconciliation. In Japan, however, it sparked controversy—while conservatives accused him of being too apologetic, many citizens and intellectuals praised him for his moral clarity and honesty.

In January 1996, Murayama stepped down from office, citing personal health and political pressure, ending a tenure that lasted about a year and a half. After leaving office, he continued to speak out for peace, constitutional pacifism, and historical accountability. Even in his later years, he frequently delivered lectures urging young people to learn from the past and uphold Japan’s pacifist principles.

Murayama’s passing at 101 years old has been widely seen as the closing chapter of Japan’s postwar generation of leaders who experienced the war and sought to build a peaceful nation from its ruins. In Japan, he is remembered as a “man of sincerity and integrity,” while in neighboring countries, he is still respected as the prime minister who had the courage to apologize and to advocate for friendship over denial.

Above all, Murayama’s legacy is encapsulated in the simple, profound message he once wrote during his visit to China — a message that continues to resonate across borders:
“Face history squarely; pray for everlasting peace and friendship between Japan and China.”