U.S. hopes to work with new Japanese government

The United States said Wednesday that the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is Japan's internal affairs and hopes to work with the new Japanese government. "Japan's a good friend and ally. And I expect that we are going to work very well with whomever it is in the next Japanese government as well as whomever leads that government," the State Department said in a statement. Earlier, the White House said the United State hopes Japan to continue supporting U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan despite the resignation Abe. "The United States and Japan remain strong and steadfast allies and the U.S. looks forward to continuing that relationship with Japan," said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe. "The Japanese have been strong supporters of the operation in Afghanistan and I expect they will continue to support that effort," Johndroe said. Abe abruptly announced his resignation on Wednesday after a year in power dogged by scandals, an election rout and a crisis over Japan's support for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan. Japan has been a key U.S. ally in East Asia.