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Security tight for torch in Japan Japan leg of torch relay begins
(about 2 hours later)
The Japanese leg of the Olympic torch relay is due to be held amid tight security in the city of Nagano. The Japanese leg of the Olympic torch relay has started amid tight security in the city of Nagano.
More than 3,000 police officers have been brought in to guard the event, after protests plagued the flame in some other cities on its route. Witnesses said the streets were lined with thousands of Chinese supporters, as well as dozens of protesters.
Dozens of protesters demonstrated in Nagano as the torch arrived ahead of the relay. A man was arrested. More than 3,000 police officers have been brought in to guard the event after demonstrations plagued the flame in some other cities on its route.
Pro-Tibet groups, human rights groups and Beijing supporters are expected to converge on the mountain resort. In a last-minute change, the relay began in a parking lot rather than a Buddhist temple.
Chinese rule in Tibet, and its record on human rights, are among the issues that have drawn protesters to the flame as it tours the world. The temple was withdrawn as the starting point after objections over China's crackdown in Tibet.
The protests - and the huge security operations they have spawned - have turned the celebratory tour of 20 countries into what analysts describe as a public-relations disaster for Beijing. The relay was started by the manager of Japan's national baseball team.
Protests elsewhere on the torch's route - and the huge security operations they have spawned - have turned the celebratory tour of 20 countries into what analysts describe as a public-relations disaster for Beijing.
Police columnsPolice columns
Japan told Chinese Olympics organisers that the large team of security officers who have accompanied the flame elsewhere would not be welcome here, reports the BBC's correspondent in Japan, Chris Hogg. Earlier, Japan told Chinese Olympics organisers that the large team of security officers who have accompanied the flame elsewhere would not be welcome here, reports the BBC's correspondent in Japan, Chris Hogg.
In a festive environment where everyone can celebrate, we hope the Olympic torch relay will proceed smoothly Nobutaka MachimuraChief cabinet secretary Instead riot police in running gear are surrounding the athlete carrying the torch along each stage of the relay.
Instead riot police in running gear will surround the athlete carrying the torch along each stage of the relay. Two columns of 40 police officers each are flanking the torch, making it hard for spectators to see much, the organisers admit.
Two columns of 40 police officers each will flank the torch, making it hard for spectators to see much, the organisers admit.
In a last-minute change, the 19km (11.6-mile) torch relay was to begin in a car park instead of an ancient temple, the Associated Press news agency reports.
As well as anti-Beijing protesters, some 2,000 Chinese people are expected to attend the relay.
The security measures were already in evidence in Nagano on Friday, reports said, as buses full of riot police patrolled the streets and police helicopters hovered overhead.
Protesters waved Tibetan flags. Police said a man had been arrested, after being caught carrying a knife and a statement of protest.
Vietnam expulsion
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told reporters in Tokyo:
Protests have prompted authorities to mount massive security operationsProtests have prompted authorities to mount massive security operations
"In a festive environment where everyone can celebrate, we hope the Olympic torch relay will proceed smoothly." In advance of the torch's arrival, buses full of riot police patrolled the streets and police helicopters hovered overhead.
Protesters waved Tibetan flags. Police said a man had been arrested, after being caught carrying a knife and a statement of protest.
Over the following few days, the torch will stop in South Korea, North Korea, and Vietnam.Over the following few days, the torch will stop in South Korea, North Korea, and Vietnam.
In Hanoi, Vietnam, authorities expelled a US citizen of Vietnamese origin who they say was planning protests against the torch, reported state media.In Hanoi, Vietnam, authorities expelled a US citizen of Vietnamese origin who they say was planning protests against the torch, reported state media.
Protests in Athens, London, Paris and San Francisco - where demonstrators angry at the Chinese occupation of Tibet tried to disrupt processions - have dominated media coverage of the torch relay.Protests in Athens, London, Paris and San Francisco - where demonstrators angry at the Chinese occupation of Tibet tried to disrupt processions - have dominated media coverage of the torch relay.
However, the flame has made relatively peaceful progress through other cities, including Bangkok in Thailand and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.However, the flame has made relatively peaceful progress through other cities, including Bangkok in Thailand and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.