"You don't obtain anything in China with a loud voice," Rogge told Saturday's Financial Times. "That is the big mistake of people in the West wanting to add their views".
Analysts and activists expressed caution about prospects for any easing of tensions in Tibet through dialogue between Beijing and the Dalai LAma's representatives.
"It's too early to tell if the meeting will produce results or is just for PR purposes in advance of the Olympics," Mary Beth Markey, a vice-president at the International Campaign for Tibet, said in a statement.
In Nagano, 100 Japanese police officers shielded the torch-bearers in two rows on each side, accompanied by two Chinese "flame attendants" in blue-and-white track suits, while pro-China supporters waved red national flags along the route.
Scuffling broke out between pro-China and pro-Tibet groups, among whom were many Japanese right-wing activists, near Nagano's main train station. Police separated the rival groups. TV footage showed one injured man, with blood on his face.
A small group of Amnesty International members protested in front of Nagano station, wearing blindfolds and chanting "Human Rights for China". They were approached by a crowd of Chinese supporters chanting back "Liars, liars".
"VIOLENCE IS WRONG"
Around 80 torch bearers took part in the 18.7 km relay through the city, including Olympic stadiums.
When the relay drew to an end, a crowd of Chinese supporters, singing and chanting "One China" faced off with pro-Tibet protesters chanting "Free Tibet" from different sections of the park where the closing ceremony was held, kept well apart by a wall of police.
"We want to protect the Olympics," said 35-year-old Chinese student Cheng Hon. "Violence is wrong."
The flame, which travels next to Seoul, is meant to transmit a message of peace and friendship, but its journey has been largely turned into a political event and the torch has been granted the sort of security usually reserved for state leaders.
