In this April 26, 2019, file photo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, is welcomed by US President Donald Trump to the White House in Washington. (PHOTO /  AP)

TOKYO  - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told US President Donald Trump that a strengthening of the two nations’ alliance will remain in place even after Abe’s departure, a Japanese government spokesman said on Monday.

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Abe announced on Friday he was resigning because of poor health, his long-running battle with ulcerative colitis ending his tenure as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister.

Nishimura was speaking to reporters after a 30-minute telephone call between Abe and Trump, early on Monday in Japan

“He wants President Trump to rest assured because the policy of bolstering the Japan-US alliance will remain unchanged,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Akihiro Nishimura said.

Nishimura was speaking to reporters after a 30-minute telephone call between Abe and Trump, early on Monday in Japan. 

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Abe told Trump that Japan would like to cooperate closely with the United States as it draws up a new missile defence strategy, Nishimura said.

Japan in July took a step towards acquiring weapons that can strike the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, after a ruling party committee approved proposals to consider acquiring strike capability to halt ballistic missile attacks.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will vote on Sept 14 for a new leader to succeed Abe, Jiji news agency reported.