crime

Austere detention center contrasts with Ghosn's globe-trotting lifestyle

27 Comments
By Kiyoshi Takenaka and Mari Saito

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27 Comments
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The charges against Carlos Ghosn are serious but where is due process in Japan? The man is held in a notorious jail where the most violent offenders are held. He has no right to an attorney present during his multiple hours of interrogations. He can only speak to his wife 15 minutes per day but only in Japanese which his wife does not speak. This why affair stinks to high heaven!

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Amazing. You are convicted on cheating a bit on your taxes and you end up neighbor with a criminal who cold bloodedly killed many on Tokyo’s Subway systems.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@talaraedokko - He has not been convicted of anything yet. He has been accused. That said I do agree with the latter part of your statement.

It is strange the way Japan treats the "accused".

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This sounds worse that than a prison, but those in detention should be treated as innocent until their trial and have access to the media and extended family visits.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Ah-so - As much as I like Japan and consider this my home I agree with your post. The justice system is something out of the dark ages and detaining someone and using psychological and physical distress to try to obtain a confession is nothing short of barbaric. This type of system is very bad for Japanese and non Japanese alike.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Condemned yearly by both Amnesty International and the UN, actually laughed at at the UN, when the Japanese Rep proclaimed how great the system is. Locals are resorting to graffiti to express their unhappiness. Now with such a high profile person going through the system more international interest, media attention and the Olympics soon. There is going to be some embarrassing home truths exposed about justice. 99% conviction rate that's just on par with NKorea. Reliance on confession, arbitrary holding until confession is gained. No or selective video of interviews. Thank you Ghosn for highlighting the hidden.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It is strange the way Japan treats the "accused".

Yes it shouldn't be like that but that's pretty common in Japan. The prosecutor usually use this to force people to make false confession, things those people even never did. In exchange they will be free and continue their life. When it took longer it took there will be some risk that their employer and co-worker know about this, prejudice will start immediately.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

A kind of pathos.

But also for the system in Japan: Ghosn being held is likely to attract some unwanted spotlights (as #Cricky points out)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Nakamura dismissed rumors that Ghosn was being held in a special VIP room, adding, "Everyone is treated in the same way, even a prime minister."

Just out of curiosity, has a prime minister ever been convicted in Japan?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

rkom:

Remember Makiko Tanaka? This was her Dad, though by time of his arrest I don't think he was PM anymore:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakuei_Tanaka

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Thank you Ghosn for highlighting the hidden.

Relatives or friend of people who spend their time inside dentention center wouldn't know their existence for several days, authorities even wouldn't inform nor confirm to any relatives or friends who want to know.

Ghosn is pretty lucky compare to ordinary people, at least his family know his whereabouts.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

'talaraedokko

Detention center is not prison. Convicted criminals are in prison but suspects are in detention center or during interrogation before trial. So he is not convicted yet, so not in prison yet.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

rkom76:

Just out of curiosity, has a prime minister ever been convicted in Japan?

Yes. Kakuei Tanaka, one of the most powerful prime ministers of post-war Japan, was convicted in the midst of the Lockheed scandal in 1976.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3oPULLLeY

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The center "is pretty cold at this time of year," internet entrepreneur and convicted fraudster Takafumi Horie told his followers on social network Twitter.

Here is his entire tweet:

The Tokyo Detention Center is pretty cold at this time of the year. It must be very hard to stay in a detention center in a foreign land where he may not be allowed to see visitors. Carlos Ghosn. I wonder if I should bring him a cushion though I do not know him.

Takafumi Horie was the founder and CEO of Livedoor. He was arrested in 2006 and later convicted and served a prison term for tax evasion, similar to the accusation against Mr Ghosn.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ah_so:

This sounds worse that than a prison, but those in detention should be treated as innocent until their trial and have access to the media and extended family visits.

He is treated as innocent (suspect) and not charged for anything. As the article describes, his families and friends can visit him. Laurent Pic, the French Ambassador to Japan, has already visited him.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I REFUSE to believe in the Japanese justice system, especially in regards to foreigners. Since Ghosn is already in the lions den he should just adapt Murphy's law, plenty of yoga and meditation, and , let the lawyers do their work. It's time for him to get in touch with his inner self ,and one never knows. Gold has to pass through fire to attain its highest quality. I can just imagine his feelings towards the Judas he might have shared a lot with.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Cogito Ergo Sum:

I REFUSE to believe in the Japanese justice system, especially in regards to foreigners. 

Why? I am not disagreeing with you. I am just curious.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Detainees are restricted from sleeping during the day

this really sucks...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Anyone in a foreign country who falls foul of the law has to expect to be treated according to the laws of that country. No doubt he would prefer a stateroom at The Imperial but it doesn't work like that. Anyone who thinks otherwise is totally unrelated to reality.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Odd that he's not even allowed to make a public statement.

easier to get forced confessions when your subject to isolation

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A few days isolation is one thing.

3 weeks is torture in my opinion for a non criminal, unnecessary outside lives at risk.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Just the same of the US- accused are imprisoned there and thought of as guilty.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

some reports from friends who have been detained - detainee can be subjected to 24/7 round the clock interrogations, 24/7 lights on in cell, police can enter the cell at any time remove futon bedding and force detainee to remain standing, can force detainee to do unsanitary chores like cleaning all the toilets without gloves.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

USA system - You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you by the court. With these rights in mind, are you still willing to talk with me about the charges against you?

Japan does not have Miranda, regardless of what the law says you have no rights whatsoever. Police can and do lie in reports, fail to implement due process, destroy or don't lift a finger to procure evidence, victims and perps have no recourse. You wanna try and sue Japanese Gov't about it, good luck!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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