The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) has apologised to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was denied entry to Japan last month when he arrived to speak at an event.

SPF chairperson Jiro Hanyu, who extended another invitation today, said he would do all he can to ensure that Anwar will be able to enter Japan this time, to participate in a forum on ‘Democracy in Muslim world’ slated for the end of this month.

"I am the host responsible for guests to be comfortable and I am very responsible for the great embarrassment to ... Anwar,” Tokyo-based Jiro (left) told reporters today after a closed-door meeting between the duo in Damansara, Selangor.

"I apologise to him and ask him that good relations between Anwar and my foundation will not be affected by the incident.”

Anwar accepted the invitation and said he “forgives” Japan for the incident. Immigration officials at Narita Airport had refused him entry to the country on Jan 19 because of his prior conviction.

Jiro said the SPF had written to Japan's Foreign Affairs Ministry and Defence Ministry seeking an explanation.

"Up to the present (time), I am not satisfied with their explanation," he said.

If it is proven that Japan made a mistake, he said, its government should also apologise to Anwar.

Anwar, asked if he still believes Putrajaya had a hand in the fiasco as he had earlier claimed, said he is over it.

"Let's move on ... this is just one experience. I will therefore accept his (Jiro) invitation to visit Japan on Feb 26," he said.

According to its website, the SPF, established in 1986, is a private non-profit organisation that conducts international activities ‘for the public good from a global perspective’. It is an umbrella body of the Nippon Foundation.

Democratic ideals

Anwar said that, while he does not foresee problems, he is willing to risk entering Japan to talk with other "Muslim democrats" from Turkey and Indonesia.

The talks - now at the preliminary stage - are aimed at engaging those being persecuted in Muslim countries for standing up for democratic rights.

"There is a deficit of democracy in the Muslim world. (It is) for the democrats to have to face and endure lots of challenges, difficulties and repression ... ,” said Anwar.

“So, what we are doing now is to have an engagement with democrats in the Muslim world and also more mature democracies like Japan, Turkey and Indonesia ..."

He said the Habibie Centre, set up in 1999 by former Indonesian president Bacharudin Jusuf Habibie, is participating in the forum.

Asked if government officials could also take part, Anwar said he is open to the idea.

"Anyone can be invited among those who are really committed to democratic ideals. If they are true and consistent in promoting democracy, they can be invited.

"If you think the minister qualifies, we can consider ... free media, independent judiciary, freedom of expression, freedom of faith ... if these things are agreeable, then we can talk about democratic transition.”

He added that his visit to Japan would be a short one as he will have to come back for the Kajang by-election campaign.