Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama spent Friday — his last day in politics — reminiscing about the past.
House of Representatives member Murayama, 76, had earlier announced he would not run in the June 25 general election, thus ending his political career. The Lower House was dissolved Friday.
The former leader of the Social Democratic Party told reporters: "Now I'm feeling relieved and recalling many events. The Great Hanshin Earthquake (in 1995) left a particularly strong impression on me."
Lower House member from the Liberal Democratic Party Makiko Tanaka visited Murayama's office and gave him flowers.
Murayama told Tanaka, daughter of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, that people have faith in her abilities as a politician and wished her luck.
Hailing from Oita Prefecture, Murayama was first elected to the Diet in 1972. He served as prime minister between June 1994 and January 1996.