Bush wants good relations with next Japan govt

WASHINGTON, Sep 12 (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 today.

''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 today after a year dogged by scandals, an election rout and a crisis over Japan's support for US-led operations in Afghanistan.

REUTERS SG HT1934