Two arrests in latest leg of torch relay

The Japan leg of China’s Olympic torch relay began today with thousands of riot police lining the streets, helicopters buzzing the skies and demonstrators rallying in a pro-Tibet prayer vigil.

Initial skirmishes among protesters and police failed to disrupt the passing of the torch.

Police guards in track suits surrounded the first runner, the manager of Japan’s national baseball team, and another 100 uniformed riot police trotted alongside six patrol cars and two police lead motorcycles.

Two men were arrested separately in the first half of the relay, each trying to charge the torch, and a third man was apprehended later after throwing eggs at the flame.

All were quickly pounced on by police, Nagano police official Chihiro Usui said.

The starting point – a last-minute substitution after a famous Buddhist temple pulled out – was closed to the public, as were all rest stops along the way.

Japanese officials said the security was unavoidable, and called for calm.

But the high-profile police presence has dissipated any festive mood in Nagano, which hosted the 1998 Winter Games.

The relay – making its 16th international stop – has been disrupted by protests or conducted under extremely heavy security since it left Greece.