Rachmat Gobel, Honorary Doctorate recipient and graduate of Chuo University, was appointed the new Trade Minister of Indonesia by the new Indonesian President Joko Widodo, effective October 27, 2014. Mr. Gobel is the President of Indonesian company Gobel International, and Chairman of the Indonesia-Japan Friendship Association. Widodo’s new “working” cabinet reflects a team of entrepreneurs and technocrats including Mr. Gobel, who has been serving as a senior executive for the local Panasonic joint venture.

With most major Japanese manufacturers holding factories in Indonesia, and Japan being one of Indonesia’s biggest trade partners and investment source, Mr. Gobel will most likely succeed in bonding a closer relationship with Japan.

News of Mr. Gobel’s conferral of an Honorary Doctorate Degree