In pictures: Olympic torch in Japan

On the latest stage of its journey around the world, the Olympic torch has been carried through the streets of the Japanese resort city of Nagano, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998.

More than 3,000 police officers were brought in to guard the event after demonstrations plagued the flame's passage through other cities on its way to Beijing.

Chinese government supporters, pro-Tibetan demonstrators and Japanese nationalists were among the crowds lining the streets.

Despite the crowds of competing groups, the event was mostly peaceful.

With security tight along the route, which was closely monitored by helicopters overhead, two demonstrators who tried to seize the torch and a third who threw eggs were arrested.

Officials said four people were slightly injured in separate incidents throughout the relay. The flame will now continue its passage to China, after stop-overs in South Korea, North Korea and Vietnam.

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