HONOLULU -- Nasty outbursts against a Japanese sports team in China have raised worrisome questions about Beijing's fitness to host the 2008 Olympic Games, which China's rulers intend to be a showcase for the progress of their nation, much as the Games were for Japan in 1964 and for South Korea in 1988.
The Japanese team, in China for the Asia Cup tournament, was treated to hooliganism beyond that which seems to erupt in many places during matches in what the Americans call soccer but almost everyone else calls football.
From Chongqing in southwestern China to Jinan in eastern China to Beijing the capital, Chinese fans drowned out the Japanese national anthem with jeers, shouted "kill, kill, kill" at the visiting team, and harassed Japanese fans. Japanese flags were burned outside the stadiums and a Japanese diplomat's car was damaged.