WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden hopes to forge an even stronger relationship with Japan under its next prime minister, a senior US government official said Wednesday.

Biden “looks forward to working with Japan’s new prime minister to strengthen our (bilateral) cooperation in the years ahead,” the official said.

Earlier in the day, former Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election. He is almost certain to become his country’s next prime minister soon thanks to the party’s parliamentary strength.

“The United States places great importance on the US-Japan alliance, which serves as the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and across the world,” the official added.

A Department of State spokesperson said that Washington will continue to work with Tokyo to tackle regional and global issues.

The United States thanks outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga “for his work to strengthen and expand the enduring US-Japan alliance,” the spokesperson added.

JIJI Press