TOKYO - Asian leaders on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump on winning the U.S. presidential election, amid sweeping concerns across the region over the future direction of U.S. foreign, defense and trade policies, reflected in the tumbling of regional equity markets.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hailed the Republican candidate's victory and said he looks forward to working closely with him "to further strengthen the bonds" of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

The statement did not, however, touch on Japanese concerns over Trump's campaign remarks in which he painted Japan as a trade rival and suggested curtailing military support to it, South Korea and other allies unless they contribute more to deployment costs for U.S. forces.

Abe described the two countries as "unwavering allies," while Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga called their alliance "the cornerstone of Japanese diplomacy" and pledged continued cooperation "for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world."

In South Korea, President Park Geun Hye, who has been under pressure to resign over a scandal involving her long-time confidante, "wholeheartedly" congratulated Trump and pointed to the need for close bilateral cooperation in addressing the "grave situation" in which North Korea's nuclear and missile threats "are growing day by day."

"Given the United States is our ally and that the South Korea-U.S. relationship has a great impact on our diplomacy, security and economy, I think we need to extensively explore ways to develop close relations with the incoming Trump administration," she said following a national Security Council session.

But she also did not touch on Trump's campaign rhetoric, such as his remarks that presence of U.S. troops in South Korea is no guarantee of peace on the Korean Peninsula and his suggestion that South Korea and Japan be allowed to develop their own nuclear weapons for self-defense to lessen the security burden on the United States.

Trump has also criticized a U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement has been in effect since 2012 for damaging the U.S. economy and increasing unemployment, while he has opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement on similar grounds.

In China, with which Trump has vowed to also be tough on trade, having accused it of stealing millions of jobs from the United States, President Xi Jinpeng sent a message of congratulations to him.

Xi said that for the development of long-term healthy and stable relations between the world's largest two economies, he wants to uphold "the principles of non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the New York real estate mogul, who during his campaign had described India as a "key strategic ally" of the United States and had promised they would become "best friends" under a Trump presidency.

"We appreciate the friendship you have articulated towards India during your campaign," he said on social media. "We look forward to working with you closely to take India-U.S bilateral ties to a new height."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who had cursed U.S. President Barack Obama over the latter's criticism of his bloody war on drugs, extended "warm congratulations" to Trump in a statement issued by his office.

Duterte, who had recently vowed to pivot away from the United States and toward China, said he "looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-U.S. relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law."

Also offering congratulations was Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who noted that U.S. voters "have elected a president whom they feel best represents them" after a "contentious, ugly election season, that has exposed a bitter divide in the American people."

"Many will celebrate this result, while others will understandably be surprised and disappointed. But like the Brexit referendum in June, Mr. Trump's victory is part of a broader pattern in developed countries -- reflecting a deep frustration with the way things are, and a strong wish to reassert a sense of identity, and somehow to change the status quo."

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak hailed Trump's "extraordinary victory" and said he looks forward to meeting him again soon to further the two countries' "comprehensive partnership," noting "we are firm allies in the worldwide fight against terrorism and extremism."

Najib said success of Trump, who was considered a distant outsider when his candidacy was first announced, "shows that politicians should never take voters for granted."

"His appeal to Americans who have been left behind -- those who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare, and less embroiled in foreign interventions that proved to be against U.S. interests -- have won Mr. Trump the White House," he said.

Cambodia's leader Hun Sen told Trump that he had publicly supported his candidature "till several individuals have come out to criticize me and referring to you...as a dictator to have endorsement coming from a leader like myself."

"At this moment the American voters have shown their choice to elect Your Excellency the same way as my support for your candidacy is not wrong either."

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen also congratulated Trump and pledged that the self-ruled democratic island will remain a "close and reliable" friend of the United States.

Tsai expressed hope to strengthen cooperation in various areas including diplomacy, economy and trade and regional security.

==Kyodo