WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Tuesday offered his personal congratulations to Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, saying the United States will work with him and the Japanese people "on initiatives that benefit our two countries, the region and the world."

"For the last half-century the US-Japan Alliance has served as the linchpin of peace and security in the Asia Pacific region and, together, we can ensure that the next half-century enjoys the same stability and prosperity," Obama said in a statement.

Describing US-Japan relationship as one based on common interests and values, the US president pledged to work with Noda to tackle "the broad range of economic and security issues that require our attention."

A former finance minister, Noda was voted Tuesday by Japan's parliament to be the country's sixth prime minister in five years following his election as new leader of the governing Democratic Party of Japan on Monday.