Lee's previous visits to Japan, even after he left office in 2000, have angered China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory awaiting reunification and brands Lee a "splittist" for his anti-Beijing remarks.

Lee will fly to Tokyo on May 30 for an 11-day visit during which he will accept the award, give speeches at two universities as do some sight-seeing, his office said in a statement.

The 84-year-old former leader is expected to hold a press conference in Tokyo on June 9 at the end of his tour, it said.

A group of Japanese academics, publishers and business leaders have named Lee as the first recipient of the annual award honoring Shimpei Goto (1857-1929).

They said Lee had contributed to the modernisation of Taiwan, carrying on the "work and spirit of Goto."

Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule for 50 years until the end of World War II in 1945.

Goto had served as civilian governor of Taiwan in 1898-1906 before being appointed president of the newly created South Manchuria Railway in 1906. He also held other key government posts when Japan expanded its foothold in Asia.

Lee last went to Japan in December 2004 on what was described as a sightseeing trip.

In April 2001, he made his first trip to Japan, after retiring a year previous, seeking medical treatment. The trip prompted Beijing to cancel a visit to Japan by its then legislative chairman and former premier, Li Peng.

Tokyo switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972 and has since barred official contact with Taiwan, a position it says is unchanged despite granting Lee a visa.

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