BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Olympic torch in Japan

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07:04 GMT, Saturday, 26 April 2008 08:04 UK

In pictures: Olympic torch in Japan

Japanese table-tennis player Ai Fukuhara carries the torch during the Beijing Olympic torch relay through Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

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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.

Aerial shot showing a runner guarded by Japanese policemen in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

Aerial shot showing a runner guarded by Japanese policemen in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

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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.

Aerial shot showing a runner guarded by Japanese policemen, in white jersey and blue uniforms, in front of spectators with Chinese and Tibetan flags in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

Aerial shot showing a runner guarded by Japanese policemen, in white jersey and blue uniforms, in front of spectators with Chinese and Tibetan flags in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

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

Pro-Tibet protestors and Pro-China spectators clash ahead of the torch relay in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

Pro-Tibet protestors and Pro-China spectators clash ahead of the torch relay in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

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

A man is detained by police officers escorting a torchbearer in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

A man is detained by police officers escorting a torchbearer in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

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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.

A wounded spectator lies on a sidewalk during the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

A wounded spectator lies on a sidewalk during the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Nagano, Japan, 26 April, 2008

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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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Related to this story:
Scuffles in Japan at torch relay (26 Apr 08 | Asia-Pacific )