crime

Ghosn granted release on ¥500 mil bail but can't contact wife

81 Comments
By Yuri Kageyama

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

81 Comments
Login to comment

Wonderful news. Now he start rebuilding his defence.

18 ( +22 / -4 )

it's quite amusing that so many JapanToday readers are still defending Ghosn

They are defending his right to defend himself, this is what one expects in a democratic system, and as we see this is not a democratic but a medieval styled justice system, the accused apparently has no rights.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

it's quite amusing that so many JapanToday readers are still defending Ghosn.

its amusing that many have already declared Ghosn guilt even though they only get their info from the media and there hasnt been a trial yet. Democratic countries have a basic principle of innocent until proven guilty in court and convicted by a court, NO not convicted by media , not convicted by the prosecutors and certain not conconvicted by the public, neither of these have the power to do that , only a judge or jury can. So as it stands now Ghosn is innocent, when/ if there is irrefutable evidence shown in court and Ghosn is convicted in court all these ACCUSATIONS are just that accusations. Yet so many on JT and the J public have already decided hes guilty, now that is amusing. Yes if hes convicted with irrefutable evidence he can rot in jail for all I care.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

@Patrick

I think most readers tend to comment on the system itself - do you think it’s fair?

In any case no-one has access to all the evidence and being drip-fed bits and pieces from the prosecution doesn’t help either.

The man is protesting quite vociferously his innocence, I think that’s a good sign.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

So his arrest for breaking his previous bail conditions was spurious? Just happened the day before he was going to talk? If your not laughing you're crying. And if for some reason you come to the attention of prosecutors I suggest renting a submarine a hand glider and a faulse facial hair addition. The combination of these would balance out the stupidly you are going to have to endure.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

The Constitution of Japan, the supreme law in Japan's legal system, is based on the principle of people's sovereignty. Respect for fundamental human rights is one of its important pillars, together with pacifism

The interpretation of the Constitution, like everything in Japan, is very subjective, and dealt with on a case by case basis . The Constitution also forbids land or sea forces, but they have both. Is that a violation of the Constitution? depends on who you ask, and what day of the week it is.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

what a torture way to knock off a life? released, re-arrested and keep repeating

until a normal human result in physically and mentally impaired, the goal for

the prosecutors: either compromise with them, or your life will be forced to the

last tunnel.

no human should get this type of barbaric treatment.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

What is our pathetic legal system, just extortion and bleeding ones finance, sounds like corruption and yakuza to me

not to mention racist, to mention Carlos's race often why?? : Ghosn, 65, a Brazilian-born Frenchman of Lebanese ancestry, says he is innocent. He contends the compensation allegedly underreported was never decided on or paid and the payments considered to be a breach of trust were legitimate.

Macron should save Carlos and help bring more attention to our corrupt system

11 ( +16 / -5 )

Anyone looking from the outside would think that this were a third world country whose laws were just established yesterday in a hurry, and every barbarian is seen as a threat to the security of the nation.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

what an absolute circus.

the issue is not about ghosn it is about the police and Nissan operating outside of the law and detaining people in perpetuity without a chance to defend themselves, all the while conducting unrecorded interrogations without a lawyer present.

the fact that he was released on bail then rearrested was disgraceful, this latest release just solidifies the issue, Japan's justice system is severely broken.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

cracaphat

Another 5 mil on top of the 8.9 the last time? Trying to get the money back by arresting and releasing him on bail it seems.

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. Let's see if they arrest him a third time...

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Can't wait to see what costume he'll emerge with this time.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

He is not allowed to see or visit his wife? What kind of bail conditions are these?

10 ( +13 / -3 )

They sure are making quite some money.

Wonder what will happen with all those ¥¥¥.

Japan the scam.

9 ( +16 / -7 )

Ha, one in the eye for the "prosecutors" and their fan boys on here. This will all make a great film one day once Ghosn is proved innocent of all charges!

How much longer is this farce going to be allowed to continue? Who is supervising these so called "prosecutors"?? Time they were reined in and relieved of their duties.

But really, if I were Ghosn I would seriously think now about escaping from japan. There is no proper system of justice here. The way he has been treated is absolutely disgusting. Japan has only extradition treaties with S Korea and the US.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

Bail money do come back also under Japanese bail system...provided you don't lose your mind before the end of the ordeal...

保釈保証金は戻ってきますか?

逃亡などをすることなく無事に裁判を終えた場合には,執行猶予のときはもちろん,たとえ実刑判決であっても保釈金は戻ってきます。

(アディーレ法律事務所)

9 ( +10 / -1 )

The prosecutors are going to slap him with another allegation and put him back in again.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

How inhumane if he cannot see his wife. They would deny him physical relations with his spouse??

I cannot say just how disgusted I am with the whole "legal" system in japan. The 2020 olympics are really tainted now.

I only hope that Ghosn gets out of the country ASAP.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

When you think it can’t get more ridiculous, the prosecutors “prove” you wrong.

There is no presumption of innocence in this country. Japan’s people have much to be proud of, but their legal system is perhaps their biggest shame.

Shame.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

How does the bail work out here? I assume he'll get it back at the conclusion of the trial?

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The Japanese legal system is in dire need of reform, it feels like the 18th century in this country sometimes.....

8 ( +11 / -3 )

The prosecutors said in a statement they vehemently oppose releasing Ghosn, contending he could tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.

Last week these weasels said they had enough evidence to convict Ghosn on all four charges. How can he tamper with evidence they already have? Could it be that the persecutors were lying?

8 ( +11 / -3 )

A common Japanese tactic is to divide and conquer. Even to tthe point of trying to break up families.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

bail is just a 'guarantee' that you will not flee and come back to stand trial. When you return, they will return the money to you.

It’s pretty clear some people here are not clear on what bail is.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

I doubt they can prevent him having contact with his wife unless she is a suspect/co-offender, even then I doubt it could be enforced.

Guilty or not, this whole thing has been quite a farce and possibly tarnishing the image of the 2020 Olympics host country. One hopes this may lead to legal reform in Japan...then again perhaps not!

7 ( +10 / -3 )

What’s the point of now seeing his wife other than harrassment? If he ever wantsed to influence the witnesses through his wife, he can speak with someone and that some can speak to his wife. Japan is looking stupider and stupider everyday.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Guilty or not this legal system is slapstick and farcical, except it’s not funny.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

So, wait...

Is this in addition to his previous bail????

JT, more details / clarification, please!!!

6 ( +11 / -5 )

He should couter sue for all that extortion they evoked to him and his family and sue Nissan and Saikawa, in addition to the governments, French did nothng to their expatriate.. theyre only thinking of Renault sales here.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

What a farce :

Back to prison just the following morning he announced to release news on video, then once again release announced just the bext day Macron/Abe talked and Nissan announcing sales dropping.

It is becoming an Hollywood movie made in Japan, a reverse "Catch me if you can" !

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Ghosn is also not allowed to meet his wife Carole ...

Ridiculous! This harassment is absurd!

6 ( +9 / -3 )

@Kenji Fujimori

I salute you for your comments.

So many japanese around me only have a shallow analysis and prefer standing on the japanese justice side because ... well ... japan is better than the rest of the world ...

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Gakinotsukai

Thank you, I studied in university in the US and am open minded and openly voice my concerns, others here at brainwashed by the local media and authoritarian judicial system we have here. We need to protest and stand up for true human rights.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Of course, bail is just a 'guarantee' that you will not flee and come back to stand trial. When you return, they will return the money to you. Geez guys

I have no idea why people are giving you minus points for pointing out something so obvious. Bail in Japan (by some estimates 13% of detainees in Japan are granted bail) is similar to bail in the United States. That is, the money for the bail is put in a court trust and is meant to guarantee that you abide by strict conditions so that you return when summoned. If you return, the money is yours, but if you violate terms of the bail, then you forfeit the money and face the music. So 'Japan' is not making any money from this unless Ghosn violates terms of his bail.

Now, as far as this whole farce is concerned, free Ghosn!

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Fancy that. I wonder if the persecutors will deliberately delay things so that he cannot be released before the start of the ten day holiday. Or will they arrest him again in a couple of weeks on the same charge?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The prosecutors said in a statement they vehemently oppose releasing Ghosn, contending he could tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.

Pot Kettle black. You don’t think the prosecutors would influence the defendant and tamper with evidence do you?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

what the courts give the prosecutors will taketh away in short order accusing him of being a flight risk even though that's the entire point of bail to not be

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I wonder if this is connected to Macron meeting Abe?......

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Now, if he is smart he will make a few videos where he explains his side of the story in details and send them to some news agencies who can pick it up. That way at least we can hear about the OTHER side of the story instead of only the prosecutions claims.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

They mention below in almost every news regarding Ghosn's case. Don't understand what's the relation between company ownership and allegation against Ghosn?

Renault owns 43 percent of Yokohama-based Nissan, while Nissan owns 15 percent of Renault.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Japans legal system is just a bottomless pit. Sinks lower and lower and just keeps going.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

If it was a normal husband/wife, would it be so hard to believe the wife will try to circle the wagons to help out the husband. So we are to believe that these better than thous won't to the same or worse?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I wonder, did he get the originally posted bail money back when they arrested him again? While I highly doubt it, but I also wonder then what happened to the original money paid.

If the government kept it, and added this new one on top, my question is what are the laws regarding return of bail money here? He did not break any bail agreements, as he was rearrested for a different charge and not because of anything due to the bail restrictions, so I would think they should have returned the money as well.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

his case and behavior is interesting; to hold out as long as he has, this must mean he believes strongly in his innocence and perhaps has some goodies on the other Japanese board members. Its puzzling why he doesnt just cut a deal,

there has to be more to this

3 ( +5 / -2 )

For that release, his defense team offered special conditions such installing a surveillance camera at the entrance to a specified residence for the former star executive and promising to use a cellphone and the internet only under specified conditions. 

I wonder if he allowed to access Japantoday.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

He was kept in solitary confinement for much of his three-and-a-half month stay in the Japanese jail, with limited access to the outside world. He was able to bathe twice a week, with 30 minutes a day of exercise.  He said he is the victim of a boardroom coup, accusing former Nissan colleagues of "backstabbing", describing them as selfish rivals bent on derailing a closer alliance between the Japanese automaker and Renault, its top shareholder.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I think some people have the wrong idea about bail money. It is only an assurance and not paid to anyone. It’s only if the conditions of his bail are breeches will the money go to the state. However, from this article, the terms of his bail seem quite vague and s Kit left to interpretation. Hopefully, the specific details of his bail are a lot more detailed than reported in this article otherwise he is being set up to fail.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Japanese news mentions that one of the bail conditions is, that Ghosn cannot have contact with his wife. Maybe now his children can act as liaison between him and the outside world. And if that is not allowed and he is inventive, he can get the word out by means of carrier pigeons. Pretty sure pigeons weren’t mentioned in these new bail conditions, but they will be if this plot is discovered and be arrested no doubt.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Have a care. The proecutors will be worse than wounded wolves now. They are like rat's trapped in a corner.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

He can still write and pass it to his Lawyer.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It has been Report by the BBC that Ghosn has walked free from detention "with conditions attached".

Does a certain tabloid newspaper (which reported om the death of Hirohito 30 yeats ago) have any journalists in Japan these days. I am sure that they would have a field day.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hard to believe that he is restricted from contacting his wife. But I wonder if he is restricted from being contacted by her?  What comes next? Maybe not being permitted to contact the press, followed shortly by being restricted from contacting his lawyers.

One way or another, the prosecutor is going to have him jailed for life. Should be easy to do if he isn’t permitted to defend himself.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Once Mr G has been realised, I wonder if the prosecutors will come up with some more allegations and charges, and have him re arrested?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

just run dude, get a boat sorted and leave at night... they can do court over video.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

The bail system is becoming a rather profitable enterprise for the government of Japan.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

I am very concerned that Ghosn will try and secretly leave the country. That money is nothing for mega rich busisnessman. I hope the government made the right decision.

I doubt he will, but if he does then I will applaud it because the Japanese justice system is a complete and utter joke.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Ghosn might consider a quick boat ride to South Korea and ask for asylum which would be granted. He could live out his remaining days in freedom and prosperity in Seoul or Busan.

If they have an extradition agreement with Japan then he would just be re arrested in Seoul and sent back here

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Watch. He'll be re-arrested before he has a chance to set foot out of jail.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That is merely my opinion. I am not providing any legal advice.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Man, they can just keep releasing him on bail and then arresting him again and make a mint! To heck with human rights!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Did he ever get compensated for the last bail that was revoked. He should just jump ship before they revoke this bail. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Laughing at all the people here who suggest he skips bail. Yea, god forbid he actually should stand trial for his misdeeds.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

@ Chop Chop He can still write and pass it to his Lawyer.

Ghosn and his wife, are devious enough to find a way to surreptitiously violate bail agreement - and the cry 'foul' when they are exposed.

.

@Kenji This is why I hate how other zombies are

Since You lived and studied overseas, you will be aware that 'zombies' are group-think is a ubiquitous phenomenon in every country.

The US does not have a pristine record - there is injustice endemic within its system Look ta Guatanemo. It still houses its 'guests'.

.

.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

.

Carole galvanted, in a private jet, around the world to connect to and influence different principle parties.

M guess was that this would backfire .

It did.

.

Ghosn and Carole are learning that they have to play by the rules now.

Macron is keeping his distance .

The YELLOW VESTS have him and his "privilège de la noblesse" friends in the crosshairs.

No one in Europe gains from perjuring or co-opting with Ghosn - who hijacked millions of Renault- Nissan money for his personal gain now.

.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Of course, bail is just a 'guarantee' that you will not flee and come back to stand trial. When you return, they will return the money to you. Geez guys

-8 ( +11 / -19 )

¥500 million? He's probably got that much under his sofa cushions

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

Reporting about Ghosn does not have news value anymore. He is gotten rid of from Nissan and Renault. He is nobody. The stage is moved to relations between Nissan and Renault. Nissan wants to say good bye to Renault and Renault wants to keep Nissan.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

it's quite amusing that so many JapanToday readers are still defending Ghosn.

-14 ( +4 / -18 )

I am very concerned that Ghosn will try and secretly leave the country. That money is nothing for mega rich busisnessman. I hope the government made the right decision.

-30 ( +3 / -33 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites