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Tokyo: Japan tightened its security on Friday as the Olympic torch arrived in the latest leg of its international tour.
The global torch relay ahead of the Beijing in August has provoked protests from people critical of China’s policies in Tibet.
Riot police gathered around the main train station on Friday in a former Winter Olympics site, Nagano, where the flame arrived for the Japanese leg of the torch relay on Saturday.
It was greeted by several right wing activist trucks roaming around the central Japanese city, displaying huge Japanese flags and blaring "go away".
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura called for calm. "I hope this torch relay will take place peacefully in an atmosphere where everyone can celebrate," he said.
Spectators will be barred from the opening and closing ceremonies on Saturday in Nagano.
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