Statement by Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai
On the Passing of Masahiko Aoki,
A Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and
Special Advisor to Chairman of Keizai Doyukai

July 17, 2015

Yoshimitsu Kobayashi
Chairman, Keizai Doyukai

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I offer my deepest condolences on the passing of Masahiko Aoki, a professor emeritus at Stanford University.

The news took me by surprise.

I was very much looking forward to the next meeting with Dr. Aoki.
I never imagined March 30, just before my first day as Chairman of Keizai Doyukai, would be the last opportunity for exchanging views with him for Keizai Doyukai activities going forward.

Keizai Doyukai's relationship with Dr. Aoki is over thirty years long and it is mid-1980s when his support to Keizai Doyukai started. Above all, since he assumed an important position of Special Advisor to Chairman in 2004, Dr. Aoki has provided advices and suggestions on Keizai Doyukai's discussions and policy recommendations/comments from specialist's view point. All of these contributed to the vitalization of Keizai Doyukai activities. In recent years, Dr. Aoki has played a key role in arranging our meeting with Chinese business executives, headed by Chang Zhenming, Chairman of the CITIC Group, and also for the establishment of Policy Study and Analysis Center.

His passing is a big loss to the world society facing various challenges that need solutions.

May the soul of Dr. Aoki rest in peace.

Japanese version