tomiichi murayama issued a statement in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the end of world war ii. he expressed deep remorse and a heartfelt apology for japan's colonial rule in asia. murayama is the former leader of japan's social democratic party which is currently in opposition. he is on a private visit to south korea, invited by the country's opposition lawmakers. >> translator: i am convinced that my statement has national consensus. therefore, i can assure you that mr. shinzo abe, as prime minister of japan, cannot deny my apology. >> murayama called on south koreans to work to improve relations with japan that have soured over historical and other issues. >> translator: japan and south korea must maintain friendly ties, for their mutual benefit. the development of the whole asian region and world peace. >> south korean president park geun-hye reportedly considered meeting with murayama but decided not to. >>> murayama's good intentions on his visit to seoul my be undermined by developments across the pacific. lawmakers in the u.s. are discussing what to call the stretch of w