Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui applied for an entry visa Monday in order to make a speech at Keio University in Tokyo.
Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi confirmed the same day that Lee had applied for a visa at Japan's unofficial representative office in Taipei.
Lee is planning to speak at the university on Nov. 24, during an annual school festival, having been invited by a student group.
But the university has decided not to authorize the speech, Takeuchi said.
"We have contacted Keio University as a regular procedure (to check the purpose of the visit), and the university explained to us that it has made a decision not to hold the event," he said.
Takeuchi said the government will quiz Lee over the purpose of his visit to Japan before deciding whether to issue a visa.
He also denied that Keio had contacted the Foreign Ministry before making its decision on the students' plans.
Lee visited Japan in April 2001 to receive medical treatment after undergoing heart surgery.
On that occasion, the government debated for weeks whether Lee should receive a visa, with Beijing placing heavy diplomatic pressure against such a move.
The Foreign Ministry finally let Lee enter into the country on "humanitarian grounds" but set strict conditions whereby Lee could not engage in any political activities while here.
Takeuchi said the government has not received any protests from China this time. He added that the government will deal with the latest application in "a businesslike manner," based on the specific purpose of his visit.