Sarkozy Says to Visit Japan on Solidarity Gesture

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday he wanted to visit Japan by the end of this month given the consent of Japanese government, which is a gesture to show solidarity in Group of Eight and Group of Twenty.

"If the opportunity allows, it's evident that during my trip to Asia, I'll go to Japan to show the solidarity of France," Sarkozy was quoted by local media as saying. He has planned to visit China from March 30-31 March.

According to local television channel BMF, Sarkozy declared he would represent France as well as G8 and G20, of which France is the rotatory president, if the Japanese government agreed to the visit.

Earlier in the day, France said it will offer medical treatment to Japanese people affected by radiation and send a plane with chemicals to Japan.