A somber memorial service at the French embassy in Tokyo Thursday morning, for the victims of the attack in Paris.

Mourners observed a moment of silence for the 12 people killed in the shooting at the office of a satirical magazine.

Earlier Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe said the attack was unforgivable.

SOUNDBITE (Japanese) PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE SAYING:

"The terrorist attack this time is an act of terror against a news organization as well as a terrorist attack on the freedom of speech and the freedom to report. This is unforgivable. Regardless of the reasons, we cannot forgive such cowardly and dastardly attacks and condemn it. We express our condolences to the victims of the attacks."

Elsewhere across the Asia Pacific region, leaders added their voices to the international condemnation of the attack.

In Australia, Prime Minister Tony Abbot called it a horrific atrocity.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER TONY ABBOTT SAYI