Japanese business leaders voiced strong hopes Wednesday that new U.S. President Barack Obama will rebuild the world's largest economy and hailed the rise of the first black U.S. leader as the dawn of a new age.

"I hope the new president will first concentrate his efforts on achieving an exit from the economic crisis, economic reconstruction and job creation," Tadashi Okamura, chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a statement.

Okamura said he expects Obama to exercise strong leadership to create a new world order and praised the 44th U.S. president for signaling a shift from a unilateral foreign and environmental policy to one emphasizing dialogue and collaboration.

Masamitsu Sakurai, chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, also urged Obama to not only address the financial turmoil, but to also further expand free trade and establish international security.