The government expressed willingness to support France in restoring the Notre Dame Cathedral, while officials and notable Japanese figures expressed sadness after Paris' iconic Catholic church was badly damaged by fire.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a message to French President Emmanuel Macron, saying that he was "greatly shocked" to see the famous cathedral engulfed in flames.
"Our hearts are with France at this time of huge loss," Abe was quoted by the Foreign Ministry as telling Macron.