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© KYODOTokyo court retracts plan to start Ghosn's trial in Sept
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mu-da
The Japanese judiciary is the legal executive in a societal system ruled by bullying.
Chip Star
This is a tragic comedy and actual justice is the victim with Ghosn being collateral damage even if he is guilty.
If the prosecutors did their job and proved up the charges, they wouldn't need a confession. If they didn't need a confession, Ghosn wouldn't be being arrested and rearrested as his finances are drained by the court.
Yubaru
What? This is stuck into this article at the very end, but it makes it sound as if Ghosn was arrested in the first place BECAUSE of it.
I can not recall any other articles nor news reports that have stated that any Nissan officials were found guilty of any crimes prior to this here. A plea bargain is an admission of guilt, so what did they do to be investigated in the first place, and it also could be read that they were providing information that may not be reliable too.
Oh and just who from Nissan is going to "fall on the sword" in this trial?
Chip Star
Neither have I.
It also sounds as if the Court is going to attempt to say the statement lack credibility. Statement that we're credible enough for a plea deal do not suddenly lack credibility when used in another case unless evidence to the contrary has surfaced.
Akie
Hahaha, smart court, isn't it ? This is the third bail without rearrest, and the money goes to lawyers.
Cricky
So can't have a (pretend) trial because after all he has not confessesd, and don't want Nissan executives in court. Not really finding much illegal and it's regrettable and confusing for the public to understand we screwed up big time on this, so we will put any court date after the Olympics and try to regain public trust by hopefully hanging some nasty people. We hope to regain the publics understanding at a later date.
Yubaru
What "3rd bail" are you referring to?
Asiaman7
Constitution of Japan, Article 37. In all criminal cases the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial tribunal.
Japanese prosecutors arrested Ghosn in November 2018, have detained and questioned him for 120 days, and after May, June, July, and August, these prosecutors will not be prepared for trial? And they have no idea when they will be ready?
What a genuine mockery of the protections supposedly provided by the constitution.
Chip Star
No, it's an abusive Court. People in Japan and China are used to it because they've never lived in a society with an actual, independent judiciary that is interested in justice.
Bail money does not go to the lawyers. If you meant the lawyers make money representing their client, please write more clearly.
Do the hustle
I really wish they they would stop using local fishermen for their news source. Without a reliable and accountable source this report is nothing but hearsay aimed at promoting controversy. I refuse to comment until this news comes from a reliable source. However, I do hope it is not true.
Yubaru
Welcome to life in Japan. "Speedy" is a relative term with out any required time frame.
Chip Star
Any source would be hearsay. Hearsay is an out of court statement offered in court to demonstrate the truth of the statement.
YongYang
This is now so far into the realm of farce that any sense that a legal process would be followed and that justice would be served has been washed away in the tears of laughter shed at Japan’s expense. Do NOT get caught up in Japan’s injustice system, it is inept, incompetent and insane.
fxgai
Was Japan’s justice system designed in the Tokugawa period?
Yubaru
If it was, we wouldn't be reading about all this drama, he and everyone else involved would have slit their belly's by now, and it would be over.
More like designed in the Meiji Era! (And that is no joke either!)
Britlover
@FXgai, Google is your friend.
The Civil Code (民法 Minpō, 1896)
The Commercial Code (商法 Shōhō, 1899)
The Criminal Code (刑法 Keihō, 1907)
Very German influenced.
zones2surf
While his arrest came as a result of a plea bargain deal struck between two senior Nissan officials and prosecutors, the Tokyo District Court told the lawyers and prosecutors on Friday it will "carefully" judge the credibility of the statements of the officials.
Wait, what???????
Has anyone else heard anything about this plea bargain deal before now????
I have seen NOTHING about this! At all!!
What is this plea bargain deal and who the heck are the two senior Nissan officials involved???
Seriously, this is huge news and yet it is at the end of the story as an afterthought!!!
Ricky Kaminski13
Yep, the circus continues.
The pros, ”Let’s not go to trial yet, let’s keep this thing rolling boys! More time! “ Genius.
“Stretch it out, we’ll um.... get there in the ....um....( sideward glance ) eeeeto....end.” Long stoic silent pause.
Can you feel the competence?
Silvafan
The prosecution doesn't have enough evidence. They want to try and get him to break by extending this charade, or they are trying to find a way out of this mess by blaming the two Nissan officials. See what happens when the suspect have the financial means to fight back. The prosecutors lose.
If they don't have enough evidence to prosecute Ghosn then the plea deal goes out the window for those Nissan execs. They will have to indict the NIssan execs instead. Saikawa nor his government collaborators want that.
They definitely don't want this continuing while the Olympics are going on.
semperfi
.
It seems new evidence is coming up.
.
The French Newspaper, La Figaro, today reports - that an audit by an outside firm, commissioned by Renault reviewing the the accounts of RNBV ( the Amsterdam-based company) covering the last 10 years
found the 10.9 millions Euros or ($12 .2 million) were used by former Chairman Ghosn for "questionable expenses" - including 4 million Euros for a private jets.
.
coskuri
Yes, on November, on arrest day. Here in JT too, they explained the whistle blowers. You thought that meant what ?
It's the new yakuza deal that started last June. If your are second knife and help bringing evidence to arrest the godfather, you get a good discount on penalty or total forgiveness. Of course prosecutors rechecked every word the whistle blowers said and investigated during months before deciding to arrest Ghosn. If these guys did not receive big presents or sums as a reward for dealing with the CEO-confidential schemes, they should not get more than a slap on the hand. If there was personal enrichment, the deal will not save them.
Ah... that open secret. It seems the JT does not want to out them. "senior" is relative. They had to be under Ghosn. Well, re-listen the video in hich he gives the names. Or check the shell companies' data. But, what that makes who it is ?
u_s__reamer
There is no truly "independent" judiciary anywhere in the world and there never has been. Judges are beholden to the ruling social hierarchy and must dispense "justice" strictly in accordance with the political correctness required of them. The history of Asian countries has not been distinguished by "democratic" traditions so to a degree even greater than in Western countries marked by bottom up reform and revolution Japanese society has always been organized on the principle of a hierarchy of "yes men" who rise to positions of power and responsibility by showing loyalty and obedience to their superiors. Under this system Ghosn rose to the top and enjoyed all the perks and privileges as head of Nissan, but the harder they come the harder they fall, and if Ghosn is now to be sacrificed to Japan's murky " Game of Thrones", he might just pivot to a "no man" and attempt to bring down the "Temple of Nissan".
talaraedokko
This case I being followed by the world. The court has to save face at this time, especially as the new emperor is stepping up to bat. I do believe this case will start after the olympics when all the tourists have safely dropped their money and media and olympians have returned home. The other option is to hand Ghosn a not guilty verdict, make Nissan look bad, and all else forgotten. Let’s see.
semperfi
,
The new evidence, coming from Renault's investigation, regarding data about Ghosn's misappropriation of RNBV funds to the tune of 10.9 Euros, for personal use, is also reported , today, in the Spanish journal Economia.Hoy.mx.
.
Goodlucktoyou
If japan is really a puppet of America, we should follow American laws. Russian gun activist Maria Butina was held in maximum security solitary confinement for ten months. No Bail.
Patrick Corsi
A wedding reception at Versailles, multi-million superyachts, funds transferred to family members, 4 different passports (including the wife's US passport), undeclared income, villas in various different countries...is that Pablo? No it's Carlos, and he's innocent, it's the japanese judiciary system that is flawed say the "experts" posting comments...hahaha!
coskuri
It's done. They had. And they keep investigating because the gift keeps on giving.
If Ghosn was not guilty, his "accomplices" would have done what ? They plotted to enrich their boss while he didn't know ?
Cricky
Ah Patrick, I would agree if there were bodies left/ found at any of these spots, but he was a successful businessman that has saved a global company. Worked for 20 years increasing that company's profits. A wedding pfft, a yacht pfft. As the prosecutors have discovered those villas are owned by Nissan, they are not his and every company dealing anything in the Middle East has to bribe someone, it's not a secret corruption is the way they do business. I've got two passports so I fail to see that's a crime or an intension to commit one. The prosecutors are now unable to present an argument based on law breaking and need more time to scramble to find at least a reason for their behaviour. After everything it's very embarrassing to find a face saving way out.
hell if I was the boss of an international company I'd have several super yachts a really nice appartment in every continent and sharks with lasers on their heads.
Yubaru
And what does this have to do with the JAPANESE case against him?
JBird
@Patrick Corsi
If you had been following this on JT I think you would have found that the two have become somewhat exclusive with most only hoping Ghosn gets s fair trail and the "system" is improved.
Ghosn has been accused of wrong doing and we've all see the same leaks BUT it should be up to a fair court to decide guilt, and until then he is considered innocent,
On the other hand the unfairness and mideaval practices of the prosecutors in our so called Japanese "justice" system are evident.
Ghosn may be guilty, as the prosecutors say, or innocent as he says, and that will (hopefully) come out in trail. One can only hope that this trail brings enough shame and pressure on our justice system that it can be changed and drug screaming into this century!
wtfjapan
Hahaha, smart court, isn't it ?
how is that 3 months of detention and still no confession LOL all of Ghosn bail money will be returned as long as he follows bail conditions and stays in Japan until the trial. Ghosn has been released on bail twice now which is extremely rare, Id say Ghosn lawyer is worth every penny so far. See as with most legal systems the smartest lawyers go into private practice and legal defense where the real money is , no so smart ones stay as prosecutors.
semperfi
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@ Yubaru : And what does this have to do with the JAPANESE case against him?
.
RNBV is the Amsterdam-based Renault-Nissan joint venture, which was set up by Ghosn in 2002, ostensibly, to oversee Renault - Nissan partnership’s operations,
Ghosn was the head as Chairman and CEO .
Renault is currently investigating Ghosn's money trail, concurrent with the investigation that is happening in Japan. {They found Ghosn drew money from RNBV for birthday parties and personal entertainments and under-the-table pay off to a Director of RNBV}.
Now the Independent audit firm (Mazar) has found 10.9 million Euros questionably appropriated for OTHER personal use over a 10 year period.
Since Nissan's money - and Nissan shareholders money -is involved in the RNBV misappropriation / embezzling of funds , this new development is VERY pertinent to the Japanese case.
.
T
Kestrel
Silence from the japanese public.
No japanese executive has ever been treated this way.
Kenji Fujimori
The move, which could mean the trial will not start this year, came as Ghosn was indicted for the fourth time earlier in the month over a fresh allegation of financial misconduct. The 65-year-old was released on bail Thursday.
So when does it start, after the Olympics?? This is just a big show for ratings for the average zombie here. There is no democracy
Kenji Fujimori
You should also be following the stock market Nissan quote as it's dropping by the day. Saikawa is pulling the strings on this circuis charade, plot to buy out Renaults shares at a low price. Similar buy out of cheap shares has happened before :with Mazda/Ford Mazda buys out Ford's majority share at a low value. Suzuki/Volkswagen Suzuki buys VW shares at a low value.
Goodlucktoyou
OK, try him here and lock him up for 15years, then deport him to France, detain him on remand, take to court there, and give him another 15 years. That will give the USA time to build their case, so after France he can be deported to the USA, then after pretrial custody, go to court there and get sentenced.
I like your way of thinking.
quercetum
One needs to realize that the judges and prosecutors are of one entity. This "pigeonholing" of the trial is of no surprise. Absolutely disgusting.
sf2k
indefinite jail until he dies there I guess. What a system
Tokyo-Engr
The more I read the more likely I think it is that Ghosn committed unethical acts and it is quite possible he is guilty of one or more crimes. He sounds a bit shady and greedy to me.
On the other hand I am also convinced now more than ever that the judicial system in Japan is archaic and a complete and total embarrassment to the country. This has been going on since November 2018 and they can’t start the trial in September 2019?!?!?!
The prosecutors in Japan must be unbelievably and grossly incompetent.
To me (and I think he may be guilty) it appears they are too incompetent and lazy to take this to trial and prefer to use barbaric methods to get a confession. These guys should be ashamed and embarrassed!!!
Even though I don’t like Ghosn and am convinced he is unethical I am starting to root for him as I think the prosecution is worse.
Camden Hell
Japanese style plea bargain introduced in 2018 is different from the US and it is deceptive. It is more like informing someone else’s crime to spare one’s own than admission of one’s own guilt to reduce the charge. Lawyers were very critical to it as it carries a risk of false accusation in the defective medieval justice system of Japan. It is what we see in the case of Carlos Ghosn, and that is the one the prosecutors and the government are the most defending by scapegoating Ghosn .
Scrote
Wouldn't a lower Nissan share price also make it easier and cheaper for Renault to acquire a majority of Nissan stock?
Kenji Fujimori
Scrote
Yes, that would be correct, though it's clear and evident Saikawas intention since Carlos was destroyed by Saikawa from the start.
u_s__reamer
Given the amount of smoke surrounding this murky saga Ghosn has most likely broken laws and despite the questionable treatment he's received from the Japanese prosecutors I hope he will in the end get what justice he deserves. I may be prejudiced but on instinct I would never buy a used car from the former boss of Nissan.
drlucifer
One doesn't know what to believe any longer. It was initially reported that prosecutors SUSPECT the wife MAY have contacted individuals related to the case.
And not up to 4 days laters the prosecutors are certain she did.
I think the prosecutors don't really have much evidence and are desperate.
tinawatanabe
Any criminal case gets more serious if the suspect does not admit. The more Ghosn denies his charges, the more the prosecutors go into more serious crimes he committed.
Patricia Yarrow
So, Ghosn cannot speak to his wife until after the 2020 Olympics???
Good luck with that! It's inhumane.
obladi
You can find some info (not much) on the plea bargain in earlier articles ...
coskuri
How long does it take elsewhere ? Take the Pieruci (Alstom) case. He was arrested the same way when his plane landed in the US. That was in beginning 2013, he got his trial in end of 2017.
Chop Chop
Ghosn was given too much power in Company and also, free fund was available via (hedge fund) Nissan subsidy Netherlands Company. Ghosn misused those funds for his private. It's human nature. He misused it because he can use it.
I was wondering Car Company always pay ten of millions bonus to its car dealer. Ghosn had paid Oman Nissan dealer $ 32 million as bonus and $ 16 million to Lebanese dealer. I want to know how many Nissan cars were sold by these two dealers.
Not Just Nissan, also Renault has uncovered Ghosn misusing fund from Renault and Renault alert to French prosecutor.
What a mass?
Zero to hero, and then from hero to zero.
Lebanese businessmen are very similar to Jewish businessmen. They are very good at doing business as well as bloody businessmen.
Ex_Res
Incarceration and isolation has not worked. No confession.
So now it's divie and conquer. To assist divide and conquer, isolate him from family.
Still no confession.
My guess is that te next tactic will be trying to extract a confession by proxy from Ghosn's wife. Believe me, I have seen Japanese tactics like this before.
She must be very careful what she says to anybody, and not andeer the telephone to anybody except alawyer or family. It could be taped (for the translator of course).
Ex_Res
Tokyo court retracts plan to start Ghosn's trial in Sept
Demanded by the prosecutor no doubt, and rubber stamped by Japans scared little rabbit judges.
Omachi
My guess is that it will never go to trial.
bullfighter
According to a British government advisory, foreign nationals who get busted in France generally spend 24 months in pretrial detention. If the Japanese government did unto French citizens as France does to foreign nationals, Ghosn would still be locked up.
Edgar Zardaryan
By the time this guys case is tried the statute of limitations will have taken effect on his case lol....
Serrano
This is very interesting:
Carole Ghosn, wife of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, speaks out in an exclusive interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PeT0e5gU3U