A memorial service for former Japanese prime minister Tomiichi Murayama was held in Tokyo on Monday, with attendees urging Japan to honor the Murayama Statement and resist moves to abandon its pacifist constitution amid rising militaristic rhetoric.

About 450 people from ruling and opposition parties attended the memorial service, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, former prime ministers Taro Aso and Yukio Hatoyama.

Murayama, the 81st prime minister of Japan and the first from the Japan Socialist Party, died in his hometown of Oita at the age of 101 on Oct 17 last year.

On Aug 15, 1995, Murayama issued the historic cabinet-endorsed statement. The Murayama Statement declared that, "Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war, only to ensnare the Japanese people in a fateful crisis and, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations." The statement specifically expressed "deep remorse and heartfelt apology".

Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party, said at the memorial service that the Murayama Statement holds important historical significance, stressing that Murayama had repeatedly warned Japan must "never again wage war". She also recalled their visit to China together.

She noted that amid a complex international environment and intensifying domestic debate over constitutional and security policies, carrying forward and developing the spirit of the Murayama Statement has practical significance for preventing Japan from being drawn into war and maintaining peace.

Takakage Fujita, secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, told China Daily that the Murayama Statement, together with Japan's postwar pacifist constitution, represents an important political asset that has helped Japan gain trust in Asia and promote Japan-China friendship, with long-term and far-reaching significance.

He said the statement reflects Japan's profound reflection on its past aggression, which caused immense suffering to China and other Asian countries, and constitutes a solemn pledge never to wage war again and a declaration of peace for Asia.

"I will continue to uphold the spirit of the Murayama Statement and work tirelessly to promote Japan-China friendship," Fujita said.

Murayama made significant contributions to urging Japan to face history squarely and promoting friendship between the two countries.

In the days before his death, Murayama sent a message to a symposium marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. In the message, he stressed that "only through humble reflection on Japan's past can the nation's honor truly be upheld".

On Japan-China relations, Murayama wrote: "A peaceful and friendly relationship between Japan and China is the cornerstone of peace in Asia. I would like to reiterate that building a lasting bilateral friendship and strengthening this foundation of regional peace is the right path to safeguarding and advancing Japan's national interests."