New Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda hopes to hold talks with Barack Obama soon

TOKYO: Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said today he hopes to hold talks with US President Barack Obama as early as possible, after speaking by telephone with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

During the call, Geithner congratulated Noda, currently the finance minister, on being elected to succeed Naoto Kan as the next Japanese leader while Noda asked the US Treasury chief to give his regards to Obama, according to Noda.

"I hope to hold talks (with Obama) as soon as possible, including over the phone," Noda said while briefing reporters about the conversation.

Noda also said he did not discuss "practical" issues, such as possible intervention into the foreign exchange market, with Geithner.