Fujimori put down a siege by MRTA rebels in 1996

Mr Fujimori is refusing to return to Peru to answer charges of human rights abuses.

The Japanese Government has defended his right to stay in the land where his parents were born.

Until now, Mr Fujimori has lain low in Tokyo, avoiding the spotlight and the controversy over whether he should be allowed to stay.

About 2,000 students, supporters and journalists packed the lecture hall at Tokyo's Takushoku University to hear him.

Outside, a small group of protesters chanted slogans demanding that he return to Peru to answer allegations of human rights abuses.

Mr Fujimori showed a videotape depicting horrific atrocities allegedly committed by Shining Path guerrillas.

He said his critics had forgotten that Peru was in the grip of terror when he came to office.

He added that it was his political, military and economic strategies that brought peace to the country.

Controversy

The former president appears to have lost none of his vigour and self-confidence during his time in exile, but he declined to take questions after the lecture, and he said nothing about the specific charges against him of complicity in atrocities by the security forces.

On the university campus, there were angry exchanges between students and demonstrators.

Some said Mr Fujimori was a fugitive from justice, and should not have been invited.

Others said he had been confirmed as a Japanese citizen and should be allowed to stay in the country.

Influential conservative politicians have rallied around Mr Fujimori.

They see him as a symbol of strong and decisive leadership, but many Japanese liberals feel he owes an explanation to the people of Peru.