Nagano picks publicly owned vacant site to start torch relay

Monday 21st April, 10:24 AM JST

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jerseyboy at 09:23 AM JST - 21st April

Is there some un-intended message in the fact that they picked a "vacant" lot? I mean, at this point, does anyone really care about this silly relay? Coke, Samsung, and the other relay sponsors are trying to dis-associate themselves from it. Just yesterday, Nepal said they will SHOOT protestors who try to disrupt the Mt. Everast leg. These Olympics are still like four months away, and I am sick and tired of hearing about them already -- for the wrong reasons. The IOC really damaged their brand in choosing Beijing.
dr_jones at 12:47 PM JST - 21st April

I'd like to see revolts like in UK and France but I bet Japanese are too reasonable to do this. Always fun too see on TV how the runner is disrupted, the kakuwarui police protection etc.