According to The Nikkei, Japan is one of Indonesia’s largest partners in terms of investment and trade. In addition to his experience of studying at Chuo University, Mr. Gobel continued to maintain relations with Japan after graduating and returning to Indonesia. He held positions including group chairman for a local joint venture company of Panasonic and director of the Indonesia Japan Friendship Association. Under the new cabinet of President Widodo, Mr. Gobel is viewed to be the best choice as a Trade Minister who can further improve relations with Japan.

　Professor Emeritus Mitsuhiko Tsuruta, a former instructor of Mr. Gobel, gave this message of congratulations on his pupil’s appointment as Trade Minister.

High expectations for Mr. Gobel as Trade Minister

Mitsuhiko Tsuruta
Professor Emeritus, Chuo University

Professor Emeritus Mitsuhiko Tsuruta reminisces with Mr. Gobel during the party

It was a wonderful surprise to hear that Rachmat Gobel, a graduate from my seminar in the Faculty of Commerce, Chuo University, was appointed as Trade Minister in the cabinet of new Indonesian President Widodo, who took office in late October 2014.

I was also overjoyed in March when Mr. Gobel received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Chuo University in recognition for his many years of significant contributions to Indonesia-Japan relations. However, his appointment as Trade Minister is even more surprising and fortuitous.

I still remember how Mr. Gobel spoke in halting Japanese when he entered Chuo University in 1984. However, when speaking at the conferring ceremony for his Honorary Doctorate and the graduation ceremony in March, he displayed fluent Japanese while discussing global economic society through the philosophy of interpersonal cooperation. I was truly thrilled to see how he has grown so much.

Indonesia has an extremely bright future even among ASEAN countries. I expect Mr. Gobel to display his full abilities while serving as Trade Minister in the democratic administration of President Widodo.