Japan's new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, held a phone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday during which they agreed to strengthen the alliance between their countries.

Biden congratulated Kishida and said he looks forward to working closely with him to strengthen cooperation in the months and years ahead. 

"The historic partnership between our two democracies and our two peoples will continue to be a critical asset as we work together to take on the challenges of our time," the president said.

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Kishida takes office as Japan's PM, calls general election on Oct. 31

The 64-year-old Kishida, a soft-spoken centrist in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), easily won Monday's party leadership vote, with the Japanese parliament approving his nomination to lead the world's third-largest economy.

He succeeds Yoshihide Suga, who had announced he would not stand for the LDP leadership after just one year in office as prime minister. 

Biden said he commended Suga "for a successful tenure" and thanked him for his partnership to advance the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

Kishida, a former foreign minister with an image as a consensus builder, unveiled a cabinet lineup dominated by allies of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and ex-finance minister Taro Aso. 

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, Abe's brother, kept his position, as did Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

(With input from AFP and Reuters)

(Cover: Reuters)