Bush wants good relations with next Japan government

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush hopes to continue the good relationship he had with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who abruptly resigned, with the next Japanese government, the White House said on Wednesday.

"President Bush and Prime Minister Abe have had a very good working relationship," Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said. "The United States and Japan are strong and steadfast allies. We look forward to continuing that relationship with future Japanese governments," he said.

Abe announced his resignation on Wednesday after a year dogged by scandals, an election rout and a crisis over Japan's support for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.