Protests held as G-8 leaders arrive in Japan

JAPAN: Hundreds of protesters rallied under heavy police security Sunday in Japan as leaders from the top industrialized nations began arriving for their annual summit.

A morning protest ended peacefully. Another sponsored by leftist demonstrators was to be held later in the evening.

The rallies follow a demonstration by about 2,500 on Saturday that lead to a brief clash with police in which four people - including a television cameraman - were detained.

The protesters are demanding the Group of Eight be dissolved and urgent measures be taken to solve climate change and world hunger.

“Down with imperialism,” said one large red banner carried at the front of the march.

Japanese police have been out in force to assure there are no incidents during the G-8 summit, which starts in Lake Toya, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) south of Sapporo city on Monday.

U.S. President George Bush arrived at Lake Toya as the march was being held.

Sapporo, Sunday, AP