Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with new U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty on Friday, saying they will continue to work together to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.
At the meeting, Abe told Hagerty of his hope of being "able to work together to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance."
"I've arrived at a challenging time for both our countries and I look forward to working with you," Hagerty, for his part, told Abe.
The talks were held following Hagerty's arrival in Japan on Thursday and amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Hagerty took over from Caroline Kennedy, who served as U.S. envoy under former President Barack Obama.
Caroline, the daughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, left Tokyo in January.
