By Charles Scanlon BBC Tokyo correspondent

The head of Peru's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is in Tokyo to try to interview the country's exiled former President, Alberto Fujimori.

Mr Fujimori has been in Japan since November 2000 when he stopped over on an Asian trip and resigned from his post.

The commission is investigating 20 years of violence in Peru from 1980, in which an estimated 30,000 people were killed.

Fujimori fled Peru in disgrace

The commission's chairman, Salomon Lerner, has spoken to the other three presidents who governed during those years, but not to Mr Fujimori.

He has made two requests for an interview and will wait until Wednesday for a response.

Mr Fujimori waged a ferocious war against leftist guerrillas during his decade in office.

The government of Peru has approved a request for his extradition to answer charges of crimes against humanity.

The papers have yet to be formally presented to the Japanese authorities, who have consistently stated that Mr Fujimori is a Japanese citizen and can stay as long as he wants.

Tactics defended

The truth and reconciliation commission is conducting an independent inquiry to try to uncover the causes and lessons of the long civil conflict.

Mr Fujimori has vigorously defended his tactics and has denied all charges of corruption and abuse of power.

He has announced his intention to stand for president again in 2006.

That could be difficult - he was served with a 10-year ban from Peruvian politics for abandoning office in November 2000.