Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday he plans to discuss the fight against terrorism with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Paris as part of a weeklong trip to India, France, Belgium and Britain starting next week.
Condemning the incident in Paris, he said: "We must never tolerate vicious terrorism and challenges against the freedom of speech and the press.
"Sharing this view with the international community, we must face up to the fight against terrorism."
Referring to the purpose of the four-nation tour starting Thursday, Kishida said, "I would like to take this opportunity to send a message to the world as to how our country will contribute to the stability and prosperity of the international community and the region, and how we will try to address global challenges" in partnership with the four countries plus the European Union.
The minister said such proactive diplomacy is important, especially with this year marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Kishida said he plans to hold a strategic dialogue with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, and to hold talks with Federica Mogherini, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, in Brussels.
In London, Kishida is scheduled to attend the first security meeting involving the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and Britain, known as two-plus-two talks.
Speaking at a separate news conference, Nakatani said he will make a three-nation trip to Djibouti, South Sudan and Britain from Jan. 17 to 22.