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U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed mental health problems for the mass shooting that took place in a Baptist church in Texas on Sunday.

Asked during a press conference in Tokyo what policies he would support to tackle mass shootings in the US, the president said: "I think that mental health is a problem here. Based on preliminary reports, this was a very deranged individual with a lot of problems over a very long period of time.

"We have a lot of mental health problems in our country, as do other countries, but this isn't a guns situation … we could go into it but it's a little bit soon to go into it. Fortunately somebody else had a gun that was shooting in the opposite direction, otherwise it wouldn't have been as bad as it was, it would have been much worse.

"This is a mental health problem at the highest level. It's a very sad event … these are great people at a very, very sad event, but that's the way I view it."

President Trump made this comment while speaking at the end of a two day visit to Japan.

"Beautiful area … so sad … Sutherland Springs, Texas, such a beautiful, wonderful area with incredible people. Who would ever think a thing like this could every happen? So I want to send my condolences, the condolences of our first lady.

"In tragic times, Americans always pull together, we are always strongest when we are unified. To the wounded and the families of the victims all of America is praying for you, supporting you and grieving alongside you."