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.