Anti-nuke protesters, riot police clash - 12 arrested

TOKYO (majirox news) – Twelve anti-nuclear demonstrators were arrested Sept. 11 after clashing violently with riot police in a protest march near Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, police said.

The Metropolitan Police Department said Shin Futatsugi, the organizer of the demonstration, was taken into custody for violating a Tokyo Metropolitan Government Public Safety Ordinance, and the remaining 11, all men, were arrested for obstructing execution of public duties.

All suspects were part of a crowd of about 2,200 that marched around JR Shinjuku Station to protest Japan’s use of nuclear power generation.

Police said the arrests arose from one of the men punching a riot police officer in the face. Futatsugi’s arrest came about because he disobeyed regulations regarding protest marches, allowing demonstrators to use sidewalks instead of keeping only to the road as required, the MPD said.

Link to photographer Pierre Boutier’s pictures of the demonstration that he sent Majirox News: http://pierreboutier.photoshelter.com/gallery/12-antinuclear-activist-were-arrested-in-Shinjuku/G0000JFysOKxB_tQ/

Tags: Japan anti-nuclear demonstrations, Japan police, Shin Futatsugui, Shinjuku Station, Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department

This entry was posted on 09/12/2011 at 7:50 am and is filed under NEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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French backs trio unlikely to be fit for Japan rugby clash - AFP

French backs trio unlikely to be fit for Japan rugby clash(AFP) – 7 hours ago 

AUCKLAND — Two-time World Cup finalists France look set to be without three key backs for their World Cup opener against Japan in North Harbour next Saturday according to French assistant coach Emile Ntamack.

Ntamack, who stands aside after the World Cup along with head coach Marc Lievremont and scrum handler Didier Retiere, said that Alexis Palisson, veteran Damien Traille - who is entering his third World Cup - and injury-prone centre Maxime Mermoz were all likely to miss the Group A match.

Palisson has torn his psoas, Traille suffered a knock to a knee in last month's win in Bordeaux over Ireland but has returned to training, while Mermoz had all but been ruled out by Lievremont as he is still recovering from the twisted left knee he suffered in the same Ireland match.

"We know very well that foer the first match it is going to be very difficult (for Palisson)," said Ntamack.

"Maxime Mermoz and Damien Traille are in the process of returning, and they are getting progressively better.

"Will they be ready? That would be to say they will be 100percent Sunday or Monday and that will not be the case.

"That will make their chances of playing difficult, even if the news is better on their side."

Ntamack, who played with Lievremont in the 1999 World Cup final defeat by Australia, admitted that they were battling to have enough backs for the Japan match.

"It gives us just about the adequate number for the backline but we are inclined to be extremely prudent in terms of the preparation," said the 41-year-old, who scored 26 tries in 46 tests.

Lievremont - who will be replaced by Philippe Saint-Andre after the World Cup - will announce his starting line-up on Tuesday.

The French will also face Tonga, Canada and the likely tabletopping decider with hosts the All Blacks on September 24.

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