The government said Monday that Japan will step up counterterrorism cooperation with the United States in the wake of last week's terrorist attack in southern California.

"Our country will continue efforts to prevent terrorism in close cooperation with the United States and the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in response to President Barack Obama's condemnation of the case as "an act of terrorism."

"I express my condolences to all the victims and their families, and extend my sympathies to the injured," Suga said at a news conference.