InsideJapan News Network

The appointment of Timothy Geithner as president-elect Barack Obama's Treasury chief has been seen as a positive development from a Japanese perspective.

Asia Times reports that Mr Geithner, a veteran of the Clinton era, is 'well versed in things Japanese and is remembered for his sympathetic views of the country'.

International relations expert Akihiro Tanaka of the University of Tokyo noted that diplomatic relations between the US and Japan were strained during the early years of the Clinton administration.

However, he sounded an optimistic note about Mr Obama's economic team, many of whom hail from the period. He commented: "They are the Democratic party's best and brightest We shouldn't worry about that."

Mr Obama's other economic appointments include Larry Summers as the head of the National Economic Council. Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, is expected to be announced as his commerce secretary, reports the Independent.