“Selecting Emanuel for this important role as part of the Biden administration will heighten Chicago’s global profile and enhance business relationships with Japan and around the world, ultimately strengthening the local economy, the United States, and Japan,” the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce said in a statement.
The politically savvy and combative Emanuel, who was White House chief of staff to President Barack Obama, has been considered for various administration roles since Biden’s November election victory.
Progressives have raised concerns about his record in the Obama administration, particularly his opposition to a larger stimulus bill in 2009 and what they see as an unwillingness to work with the left. Some groups, including the NAACP, have said that his handling of the police killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in Chicago should disqualify him from the Biden administration.
Emanuel and President Joe Biden grew close when Biden was vice president and Emanuel chief of staff to then-President Barack Obama.
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Emanuel earlier had pushed for appointment as secretary of transportation, a post that ended up going to former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg after congressional progressives objected to naming him to the Cabinet. But the appointment as ambassador to one of the U.S. closest allies is considered a significant honor.
Since leaving office, Emanuel has a been working in the financial industry and as a commentator the ABC TV network. Though his hard-charging demeanor can be off-putting, Emanuel is expected to breeze through Senate confirmation.
Illinois’ two senators, Democratic Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, strongly praised the appointment in separate statements.
“Rahm Emanuel has a lifetime of public service preparing him to speak for America,” Durbin said in his statement. “Japan is an important strategic partner in Asia, particularly in light of our continued challenges from China. I will do all I can to help Rahm become America’s voice in Japan.”
Said Duckworth, ‘His years of experience make him well suited to represent the United States of America in this important role. I look forward to his confirmation and his efforts to continue strengthening our longstanding relationship with the Japanese people.”
Crain’s Greg Hinz and Bloomberg contributed.
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