Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday congratulated the launch of the new U.S. administration under President Barack Obama and pledged to work with him to make the Japan-U.S. alliance stronger.

"Japan and the United States are allies sharing universal values and strategic interests," Aso said in his statement issued Wednesday." I am confident that Japan and the United States, which are in the position of leading the world, can create a better future, by putting together our expertise, will, passion and strategy."

He also expressed hope that Obama "will exercise outstanding leadership and achieve great success, leading his distinguished team in each field including foreign policy, national security, economy, environment/energy, in overcoming the serious economic situation and other difficult challenges."

Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States Tuesday at an inaugural ceremony on Capitol Hill, becoming the first black president in U.S. history.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2009)