Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has told his Danish counterpart that the fatal shootings in Copenhagen that targeted people debating free speech deserved "strong condemnation," the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
"I feel great anger over contemptible terrorist acts attacking the freedom of expression and different values. I strongly condemn them," Kishida was quoted as saying in a message sent to Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard.
Kishida also said Japan "will continue to work together with your country and the international community in the fight against terrorism."
The message was announced after a gunman killed two citizens and wounded five police officers in two shootings in the Danish capital on Saturday, the first of which took place during a gathering in a cafe attended by a Swedish artist who has caricatured the Prophet Muhammad.
The event was organized to discuss the freedom of expression following terrorist attacks on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in France in January.
The other shooting took place near a synagogue. Police later shot the suspect dead after he opened fire on police officers, according to media reports.