Behave yourselves, Japanese directed

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) has printed manuals for its athletes with a list of dos and don'ts during the November 12-27 event.

Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated sharply last month after Japan detained a Chinese trawler captain near a chain of disputed islands in the East China Sea.

"The manuals are just a set of guidelines for Japan's delegation," the JOC told Reuters on Friday. "They outline basic advice on how to act from the Foreign Ministry."

The Japanese athletes have been ordered to keep politics out of their personal blogs following the heightened recent tensions between Japan and China.

Thousands of protesters marched in both countries earlier this month, highlighting fragile ties, strained by bitter Chinese memories of Japan's wartime aggression and Japanese concerns about China's growing economic might.

However, Japanese athletes will be asked not to mention any anti-Japanese protests they may witness in Guangzhou, according to local media reports here.

Japan's coaches were briefed on Thursday by a Foreign Ministry official over correct protocol during the Asian Games. "Basically apart from at the Games village, venues and official areas, it's best for the athletes not to walk outside," Japan's head coach Mitsuo Tsukahara told the Nikkan Sports.