Prime Minister-elect Yoshihiko Noda and U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner agreed during a telephone conversation Wednesday to maintain close ties between the two countries in tackling global economic issues.
Noda, who effectively stepped down as finance minister Tuesday and was elected prime minister, said he thanked Geithner for their alliance over the previous two years.
"There were no talks regarding specific details," Noda told reporters when asked if the two shared opinions on the foreign exchange market or Japan's fiscal policy.
Noda told Geithner he will likely be sending his successor as finance minister to the Group of Seven meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors next week in Marseille.
"I told him I look forward to speaking directly with U.S. President Barack Obama soon, either by phone or in person," Noda said.