The Dalai Lama will go to Japan this week despite Beijing's objections.
Beijing routinely objects to the Tibetan religious leader visiting any country overseas.
No Japanese top officials, however, are scheduled to meet with the 72-year old Nobel Peace Prize laureate during his nine-day trip.
The Dalai Lama:
1. will attend a Buddhist conference in Yokohama,
2. give a speech at a university in Ise
3. visit a high school in Tokyo
While some call him a symbol of moral authority, Beijing says he seeks to destroy China's sovereignty by pushing for Tibetan independence.
Communist-led forces took Tibet in 1951.
The Dalai Lama says he wants "real autonomy" not independence.
Recently, the Dalai Lama visited Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President George W. Bush.
Japan, however, is trying to smooth out relations with China and doesn't need the distraction of the Dalai Lama now.
Do you think the Dalai Lama is 'moral authority' personified?
