Yoshihide Suga speaks to the media during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. File/Reuters

Gulf Today Report

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Monday that he wanted to work with President-elect Joe Biden to strengthen the Japan-US alliance and to secure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Suga wrote on Twitter: "Warm congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the Japan-US Alliance and ensure peace, freedom, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond."

Suga has said the alliance will remain the focus of Japan’s foreign policy.

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Suga and Biden will need to address on bilateral issues specially the sharing of costs for stationing US troops as well as trade negotiations initiated by outgoing Trump, who had complained about the US trade deficit with Japan.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Sunday also offered his congratulations to Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

The government will be assessing the timing of when Suga, who took office in September after his predecessor resigned for health reasons, will call Biden to officially congratulate him.

Speaking to reporters, Suga also said nothing had been decided on the timing of phone talks with Biden or a visit to the United States, but added he wanted to arrange them at the right time.