Cabinet ministers expressed high hopes Jan. 20 for strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance under the U.S. presidency of Barack Obama.

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone has high hopes for stronger Japan-U.S. ties under new U.S, President Barack Obama. KYODO PHOTO

"What is most important is that we continue to make the Japan-U.S. alliance a firm one even when there is a change in administration," Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said. "It is necessary to further our close contact over international issues, especially the current economic problem."

Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa said separately: "It will be a start under extremely tough circumstances in foreign policy, domestic economy and finance. But I believe the public has very high expectations and I hope he will weather the storm."

Kaoru Yosano, minister of state for economic and fiscal policy, said he hopes the Obama administration will forge smooth global trade relations and capital transactions.

Citing the U.S. Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which raised U.S. tariffs to historic levels, and the spread of protectionism worldwide afterward, Yosano added, "It is in this kind of difficult times that one must uphold the free-trade regime and that is my biggest expectation for the new U.S. administration."

Nakasone also said Japan believes it is important to work with the United States to resolve issues related to North Korea, including its denuclearization as well as the unresolved abductions of Japanese nationals.

Nakasone expressed hope for Prime Minister Taro Aso to meet Obama, and for himself to meet incoming Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton "as soon as possible," but gave no details.