Murayama Statement

The Murayama Statement (村山談話, Murayama Danwa), officially titled On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the war's end (戦後50周年の終戦記念日にあたっての村山内閣総理大臣談話, Sengo 50 Shūnen no Shūsen Kinenbi Niatatte no Murayama Naikaku-sōri-daijin Danwa), was released by then the Prime Minister of Japan Tomiichi Murayama on August 15, 1995. In it, he apologized for the damage and suffering caused by Japan to its Asian neighbors in the World War II.

The statement was based on a Cabinet decision, requiring unanimous approval from the Cabinet members. It is often quoted as the official position of the Government of Japan on the issue of Japan's wartime aggression in the early 20th century.