US President Barack Obama today congratulated incoming Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on winning the general elections and said he looks forward to working with the new government.
“I congratulate Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe on his party’s success in the elections in Japan,” Obama said in a statement.
“The US-Japan Alliance serves as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and I look forward to working closely with the next Government and the people of Japan on a range of important bilateral, regional and global issues,” Obama said.
He also extended his appreciation to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for his many contributions to US-Japan relations.
Japanese voters yesterday dumped the ruling Democrats, which had won a landslide victory three years ago amid high hopes for change.