Japanese media are reporting that a man has died after setting himself on fire in a public park in apparent protest over the country's military policies.

Kyodo News agency said the self-immolation took place on Tuesday evening in Hibiya Park in central Tokyo.

Citing investigators, the Asahi newspaper said that notes addressed to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and legislative leaders were found near the severely burned body.

According to the paper, the notes criticise a Cabinet decision in July to lift a ban on the military's right to collective self-defence.

The role of Japan's military has been restricted to defence of the country's territory for most of the post-World War II era, and many Japanese oppose any loosening of those restrictions.