Macron calls for ceasefire in Mideast during visit to Japan

TOKYO (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire in the Middle East during a visit to Japan on Wednesday.

Macron, who held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, said they both believe in international law, the international order and the democratic values, adding: “This is why ... we both advocate for a return to peace, a ceasefire, calm, and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Takaichi said the two leaders agreed on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict and to secure the safety of the vital waterway and the stable supply of goods.

“With the international environment increasingly severe, I believe it is especially meaningful for the Japanese and French leaders to deepen our friendship and cooperation," Takaichi said at a joint news conference at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.

The leaders said they also agreed to deepen their cooperation in defense, rare earths development, nuclear energy, space and other areas.

Japan and France have in recent years bolstered their defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, where France, which has troops, citizens and resources across the region, seeks to protect its interests and show its presence alongside like-minded democracies concerned about China’s growing influence.

Earlier Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin signed a road map of defense cooperation between the two countries through increased joint exercises and exchanges in the Indo-Pacific.

Separately, the Japanese and French trade ministers signed a deal in a joint rare earths project.

China controls most of the global production of rare earths, which are used for making powerful, heat-resistant magnets in industries such as defense and electric vehicles.

Macron and Takaichi said the two sides agreed to cooperate in the development of a fast reactor and nuclear fuel recycling program in which Japan has been struggling.

Macron was in Japan as U.S. President Donald Trump said overnight that the responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open would be on countries that rely on it, saying “That’s not for us. That’ll be for France” and “whoever’s using the strait.”

Trump has been seen as increasingly annoyed about Europe's lack of support for the U.S.-Israeli war. He lashed out at France, saying it has been “very unhelpful.”

Macron did not mention Trump or his comment at the news conference, where reporters were not allowed to ask questions.

On Thursday, Macron and Takaichi are scheduled to visit a company specializing in space debris removal technology as part of the two countries’ cooperation in the area of space. Macron will then have a courtesy meeting with Emperor Naruhito and a palace lunch before heading to South Korea.

Associated Press video journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive for signing ceremony at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, center right, and French President Emmanuel Macron, center left, pose for a group photo during signing ceremony at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, center right, and French President Emmanuel Macron, center left, pose for a group photo during signing ceremony at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands during a joint press conference at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Franck Robichon/Pool Photo via AP)

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The last ghoulish gargoyle has been returned to its perch as part of a two-year restoration of a Kentucky cathedral with a facade modeled after Notre Dame in Paris.

The rehab project at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption was sorely needed to repair deteriorated stone, metal and glass that adorns the limestone exterior. The project included 32 recreated gargoyles along with repairs of deteriorated finials, arches and balustrades.

The 125-year-old church, in Covington just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, offers the experience of a European gothic cathedral in the Midwest, said the Very Rev. Ryan Maher, the cathedral’s rector. The cathedral has an “intimate connection to what is really the most popular and most well-known cathedral outside of Rome itself,” he said.

“I think it's very special and very unique,” said Maher, who watched from the sidewalk as the last gargoyle, made of terra cotta, was raised to top of the facade on Monday.

The renovation price tag was nearly $8 million, and most came from donations, Maher said.

Brian Walter, CEO of Trisco Systems, the contractor, said the final gargoyle going in was “a symbol of the accomplishment of all our facade work.”

“That’s a big, monumental occasion for not only people here, but for us. That kind of symbolized the last stone we’re putting in,” Walter said.

Restoration plans grew out of Maher's discovery in 2018 of a large piece of stone that fell from the exterior.

“We realized at that time that we needed to investigate not only the source of that one piece of stone that had fallen, but to take a look at the overall facade of the cathedral,” Maher said.

Workers will continue with smaller tasks around the facade, including the installation of chimeras that sit on the roofline, but the heavy lifting has been completed, Walter said.

“This is kind of a once or twice in a lifetime project,” Walter said.

The story has been updated to correct that the gargoyles are made of terra cotta, not stone.

Workers are seen beyond an orange cherry picker high on the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, known as "America's Notre Dame," as the final new terra cotta gargoyle is secured with straps to the left, in Covington, Ky., on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The final new terra cotta gargoyle is installed by Cole Burklund, top, and Blake Priest using a cherry picker high on the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, known as "America's Notre Dame," in Covington, Ky., on Monday, March 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The final new terra cotta gargoyle is secured at right after being installed high on the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, known as "America's Notre Dame," in Covington, Ky., on Monday, March 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The final new terra cotta gargoyle is installed by Cole Burklund, in the bright yellow, and Blake Priest using a cherry picker high on the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, known as "America's Notre Dame," in Covington, Ky., on Monday, March 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The final new terra cotta gargoyle is prepared for installation high on the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, known as "America's Notre Dame," in Covington, Ky., on Monday, March 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)