The Olympics torch in Olympia, Greece in March 12, 2020 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

The Olympic flame is scheduled to arrive at Japan’s Matsushima Air Base on Friday, transported by a charter flight from Athens.

A 121-day torch relay will begin next Thursday in Fukushima prefecture and proceed through 46 prefectures to Tokyo.

Citizens are discouraged from gathering to watch the relay, at least until April 1.