Tomiichi Murayama, Japan's prime minister from 1994, was best known for the "Murayama Statement," an apology delivered on the 50th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.

Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party replaced two of its top executives as part of a purge related to investigations into alleged political slush funds.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's exit raises the specter of a return to a "revolving door" succession of Japanese leaders.

The former chief Cabinet secretary and government spokesman was sworn in as the country's first new prime minister in almost eight years after Shinzo Abe stepped down citing health concerns.