Japan's Suga pledges to work with Biden on Indo-Pacific peace, freedom

He pledged to work together to ensure "peace, freedom and prosperity" in the Indo-Pacific region that is increasingly dominated by China.

Beijing's expanding military presence in the region has worried several of its neighbors, and Washington has vowed to stand up against its territorial claims.

Japan is also caught in the tensions between the United States and China, its two biggest trading partners.

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

Democrat Biden was declared winner of the U.S. presidency Saturday, defeating Donald Trump and ending an era that convulsed American politics, shocked the world and left the United States more divided than at any time in decades.

In his first statement as president-elect, Biden, 77, vowed to "be a president for all Americans -- whether you voted for me or not."

Suga, elected prime minister in September, has pledged to continue the work of former leader Shinzo Abe, whose signature "Abenomics" program involved vast government spending and monetary easing, and attempts to cut red tape.

Abe made building a close personal relationship with Trump a cornerstone of protecting the alliance with Washington.