The President spoke by telephone this evening with Shinzo Abe, the President of the Liberal Democratic Party, to congratulate him on the results of yesterday’s Lower House elections in Japan. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace and security in the region. The President and Mr. Abe discussed ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral security cooperation as well as deepening economic ties. They also agreed on the importance of close U.S.-Japan cooperation on pressing regional and global issues.