MUMBAI: To invite public comment on Japan‘s nationalist opposition to The Cove that resulted in theatres cancelling the screening of the film in Japan, Niwango Inc., an Internet service company has decided to show The Cove free of charge this Friday.

The service provider that shows streaming video on the internet said that it‘s inviting people to write opinions via Twitter and e-mail for an open exchange of views on the Oscar-winning documentary.

About 20 theatres in Japan had planned to show the film but canceled after protesters made threatening phone calls and screamed slogans outside the distributor‘s offices.

Nationalists oppose the film as a denigration of Japanese culture. It has been shown at the Tokyo International Film Festival and other more private screenings but has not been seen by the Japanese public.