JAPAN'S ambassador to the United States is expressing confidence that close US-Japanese ties will remain high on the new Obama administration's busy agenda.

Mrs Clinton, whom the Senate confirmed on Wednesday as secretary of state, said in written answers to questions posed during her confirmation hearing that a 'strong and enduring' US-Japan alliance is the 'centrepiece' for both US and Japanese policy in Asia.

Mr Fujisaki said Mrs Clinton made 'very clear that she would put a high priority on fortifying US-Japanese relations.'