Yoshio Murakami, a former executive director of Asahi Shimbun and a highly respected international journalist, passed away on March 14 due to lung cancer at the age of 88. His funeral was conducted privately for family members. Murakami had a distinguished career, graduating from Keio University and later obtaining a Ph.D. in international politics from the Fletcher School in the United States. Having joined Asahi Shimbun in 1965, he held various significant roles, including chief of the Bangkok bureau and head of the overseas news department.

One of Murakami's most notable achievements was his involvement in covering the Lockheed incident, which led to the arrest of prominent Japanese figures including former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka in 1976. During this investigation, he conducted a pivotal solo interview with the former vice-chairman of Lockheed, which contributed greatly to uncovering the truth behind the scandal. His work earned him the prestigious Newspaper Association Award the following year, highlighting his impact on Japanese journalism.

After stepping down from his role as director, Murakami continued his contributions to education by serving as a board member at Temple University Japan. He was also an author, known for his books that focus on the skills required for international journalism. Murakami's legacy is remembered for his dedication to uncovering the truth and fostering international understanding through journalism.