Tomiichi Murayama, who served as prime minister from June 1994 through January 1996, died Friday, a source said. He was 101.

Axar.az informs, citing Kyodo, Murayama became the first socialist prime minister in 47 years, leading an unprecedented alliance of long-time political rivals -- his Social Democratic Party and the conservative Liberal Democratic Party plus the now-defunct small LDP splinter group New Party Sakigake.

While Murayama settled many outstanding issues during his 18 months in office, his party was accused of losing its identity in compromising with its coalition partners and reversing basic policies.

When he was prime minister, he issued a statement in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II in which he expressed Japan's "deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology" for "the tremendous damage and suffering" inflicted by its colonial rule and aggression. The "Murayama statement" has been upheld by subsequent governments.