French ambassador urges Japanese to visit Paris, promises safety ahead of U.N. climate summit

French Ambassador Thierry Dana on Tuesday urged Japanese tourists to visit Paris despite the recent deadly attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, saying the French lifestyle beloved by Japanese has not changed.

"Despite the terrible effect of the attacks, life is already taking over in Paris. ... I hope things will soon come back to normal," Dana said during a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. "We expect and hope to receive Japanese visitors as (we've seen) before (the attacks)."

Dana also thanked the Japanese government and citizens for showing support following the waves of shootings and suicide bombings on Nov. 13 that killed at least 130 people and left hundreds injured.

"We have received many signs of solidarity and friendship from Japan. ... This is very valuable," he said.

"The fight against terrorism is something that concerns every country in the world. Unfortunately, many countries have been victims of attacks," he said. "It is important to share this concern."

Meanwhile, Dana said the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) will be held as planned in Paris next week, and that France is confident of its security.

As of Tuesday, more than 140 heads of states and governments have confirmed their attendance at the event, he said.

However, some citizens' groups and nongovernment organizations were advised to cancel their planned activities outside the conference's premises because it may be more difficult to ensure security in such places.

Following the terrible attacks in the French capital, President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency that was subsequently extended to February. Hollande called the massacre an act of war and vowed to destroy the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

It was the second major attack in Paris this year, following horrific attacks in January in which 17 people, including cartoonists at the satirical Charlie Hebdo weekly magazine, were killed by jihadi gunmen.