Murayama first to lay wreath at war memorial
Murayama first to lay wreath at war memorial
SINGAPORE (AFP): Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama yesterday became the first Japanese leader to honor Singaporeans killed during the Japanese occupation in the latest test of his campaign to repair his country's image.
The 70-year-old socialist premier, here on a 48-hour official visit, laid a wreath of daisies and chrysanthemums at a memorial to the hundreds who died. He bowed deep from the waist, then observed a minute's silence.
"This is the first time any visiting Japanese Prime Minister has done this," said Singapore Foreign Minister Shunmugam Jayakumar, who witnessed the ceremony along with Trade and Industry Minister Yeo Cheow Tong.
The visit to the Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation, which lasted from 1942-45, was the first official function on Murayama's schedule after he flew in here shortly before noon.
The visit is the last leg of Murayama's four-nation Southeast Asian tour, which earlier took him to the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, where Tokyo's actions in the Pacific War had been a recurring theme.
The tour is the first visit to the region by Murayama, who took over in June as Japan's first socialist prime minister in 47 years and fourth premier within the past year.
On the 49th anniversary of Japan's surrender on Aug. 15, Murayama said in Tokyo that Japan had inflicted "tragic suffering which defies all description" on Asian countries during the war.
In an interview with The Straits Times published Saturday, he expressed "deep remorse" over Japan's World War II actions, saying his government recognized "the unbearable sufferings and sorrow" borne by many Asians.
"And I intend to make every effort, based on my deep remorse, to build world peace in line with my anti-war commitment," Murayama said.
After laying the wreath, Murayama toured the 11 hectare site accompanied by 11 officials from his 30-member entourage.
"This is a very significant act on the part of the Japanese Prime Minister. I think Singaporeans will appreciate the significance of the gesture," Jayakumar said.
The 60 meter high monument was erected by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) in 1967 with contributions from the government and private individuals.
"The four columns in the structure symbolize the four ethnic groups here, the Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians," said Kewk Leng Joo, the SCCCI president.