WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Thursday called new Japanese Prime Minister-elect Yoshihiko Noda to congratulate him on his election and underscore alliance between the two countries, said a White House statement.

The statement said that the two leaders underscored the "enduring nature of the US-Japan friendship and alliance, and its critical importance to the peace and stability of the Asia Pacific. "

Obama and Noda also pledged to work closely together to reenergize the global economy and promote strong, sustainable, and balanced growth, said the White House.

During a press briefing on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland stifled a laugh over Japan's frequent changes of prime minister, which caused some controversy in Japan. In her defense, Nuland said on Tuesday that Washington has " absolute respect" for Japan's political process.

A former finance minister, Noda was voted on 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.