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Scuffles in Japan at torch relay | Scuffles in Japan at torch relay |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Olympic torch has met with more protests and scuffles on the latest leg of its troubled relay in the Japanese city of Nagano. | The Olympic torch has met with more protests and scuffles on the latest leg of its troubled relay in the Japanese city of Nagano. |
With security tight along the route, two demonstrators tried to seize the torch and a third threw eggs at the flame. All were arrested. | With security tight along the route, two demonstrators tried to seize the torch and a third threw eggs at the flame. All were arrested. |
But correspondents say the relay passed off without serious disruption. | But correspondents say the relay passed off without serious disruption. |
The streets were lined with thousands of Chinese supporters, as well as dozens of protesters. | The streets were lined with thousands of Chinese supporters, as well as dozens of protesters. |
A sea of wellwishers greeted the torch as the final runner completed the relay at a city park. | A sea of wellwishers greeted the torch as the final runner completed the relay at a city park. |
Officials said four people were slightly injured in separate incidents, and a smoke-emitting tube was thrown at the relay without effect, according to reports. | Officials said four people were slightly injured in separate incidents, and a smoke-emitting tube was thrown at the relay without effect, according to reports. |
More than 3,000 police officers were brought in to guard the event after demonstrations had plagued the flame in some other cities on its route. | More than 3,000 police officers were brought in to guard the event after demonstrations had plagued the flame in some other cities on its route. |
In a last-minute change, the Nagano leg of the relay began in a parking lot rather than a 1,400-year-old Buddhist temple. | In a last-minute change, the Nagano leg of the relay began in a parking lot rather than a 1,400-year-old Buddhist temple. |
The temple was withdrawn as the starting point after objections over China's crackdown in Tibet. | The temple was withdrawn as the starting point after objections over China's crackdown in Tibet. |
The start of the relay, with the torch first carried by the manager of Japan's national baseball team, was closed to the public, as were rest stops on the route. | The start of the relay, with the torch first carried by the manager of Japan's national baseball team, was closed to the public, as were rest stops on the route. |
Riot police | Riot police |
Protests elsewhere on the torch's progress - 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. | Protests elsewhere on the torch's progress - 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. |
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7368465.stm">In pictures: Japan relay | |
Earlier, Japan told Chinese Olympics organisers that the large team of security officers who have accompanied the flame elsewhere would not be welcome here, says BBC Japan correspondent 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, says BBC Japan correspondent Chris Hogg. |
Instead riot police in running gear surrounded the athletes carrying the torch along each stage of the four-hour relay. | Instead riot police in running gear surrounded the athletes carrying the torch along each stage of the four-hour relay. |
Two columns of 40 police officers each flanked the torch, making it hard for spectators to see much, the organisers admit. | Two columns of 40 police officers each flanked the torch, making it hard for spectators to see much, the organisers admit. |
In advance of the torch's arrival, buses full of riot police patrolled the streets and police helicopters hovered overhead. | In advance of the torch's arrival, buses full of riot police patrolled the streets and police helicopters hovered overhead. |
Vietnam expulsion | Vietnam expulsion |
Japan, which has had a troubled relationship with China, took extensive steps to ensure that any disruption was kept to a minimum. | Japan, which has had a troubled relationship with China, took extensive steps to ensure that any disruption was kept to a minimum. |
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. |