|
Tokyo: A Buddhist temple in Japan withdrew on Friday from kicking off the Japanese leg of the Olympic torch relay, citing security concerns.
The Zenkoji temple in Nagano said it had received 1,000 letters from residents and followers calling for the temple to pull out of the relay on April 26.
Followers are angry over China’s crackdown in Buddhist Tibet, where monasteries have been raided and monks arrested.
"We needed to think about security, being a temple with national treasures and many visitors," said an official for the temple.
"We also had to take into account the many messages of concern that we, as a Buddhist temple, received from residents all over the country and from our followers after growing international focus on the Tibet issue," the official said.
Eighty torch-bearers are expected to jog the 18.5 kilometre route in the city, but the city's torch organising committee said they would now consider if the route needed changes.
|
