Japan chooses new Olympic torch relay route

TOKYO: Japanese officials chose a new starting point for the upcoming Olympic torch relay Monday after a major temple pulled out of the plans over security concerns and sympathy for Tibetan protesters, news reports said. Nagano city officials will now start the April 26 leg of the relay, which has been dogged by anti-China protests as it has worked its way around the world, at a city-owned parking lot, local media reported.