Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Former Japan Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama has died at age 101, the government announced Friday.
A member of the Socialist Party, was prime minister in the 1990s, during which he dealt with several challenges, including the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the legacy of Minamata disease, caused by industrial mercury poisoning. He died in his home city of Oita, Japan.
"He shouldered the weighty responsibilities of the office of prime minister from 1994 to 1996, sparing no effort during his tenure as he dealt with numerous pressing challenges that included the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Aum Shinrikyo issue," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a statement. "Setting forth the principle of 'a government that cares about people,' he also demonstrated leadership in bringing a resolution to various issues related to Minamata Disease."
Aum Shinrikyo is a Japanese doomsday cult that carried out a sarin gas subway attack in Tokyo in 1995, killing 13 people and injuring 50.
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