crime

With legal team shake-up, Ghosn seeks punchier defense

30 Comments
By Karyn Nishimura

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

© 2019 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


30 Comments
Login to comment

Lets wait and see

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ghosn is very prepared for the offensive defense. He read a lot of thrillers in the jail. This cold be a century trial, given the resources he commands. Don't underestimate him, Japan. The whole west media is on Ghosn's side, and he is utilizing it.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

There is no chance Ghosn returns to Nissan and Renault. This topic is obsolete. He spent 20 years at Nissan. That was enough. He will retire and enjoy the rest of his life with a lot of money he earned.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The problem for Ghosn is this: this case is so high profile, being found not guilty, even if a not guilty verdict is warranted, will be a huge black eye for the Japanese criminal prosecution system: for the police, for the prosecutors. It will also be hugely embarrassing to the leadership of Nissan and to all of the government bureaucrats who have undoubtedly had a hand in this.

Which makes Ghosn's battle difficult, even if he is innocent. Having an aggressive legal team will help, but I am not convinced that it will make a difference. This will probably be nothing more than a show trial.

My prediction? He will be found guilty of something, to preserve the reputation of the system and of Japan Inc. He will be given a prison sentence that is suspended, he will be ordered to pay some sort of fine / repayment of monies to Nissan, and then he will be deported.

Mission accomplished for Nissan and Japan Inc. Ghosn is gone and Nissan uses this to return managmeent control of the company to Japanese, save for one or two pesky foreign directors from Renault.

Just calling it like I see it.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

It will be interesting to see how the defense approaches the case. Living in Japan and occasionally talking to people about this case it seems that alot of people have even forgotten what he is really accused of.

I have no clue as to whether he is guilty or innocent as I am not privy any of the evidence however I would like to see a proper trial and perhaps we are headed that way.

Maybe a stronger defense will finally put an end to this (one way or another).

7 ( +8 / -1 )

As an X prosecutor I would have to question where his loyalty lays. Fellow traveler and all that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

All lawyers in Japan come from the same cookie-cutter do not upset the system do not betray your compatriots mold as do all prosecutors judges journalists and basically all authorities. If any buck the system they will be blacklisted and banished.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

To illustrate there is no freedom of the press in Japan here's an interview with respected but blacklisted journalist Kenichi Asano http://www.kyotojournal.org/the-journal/conversations/media-critic-asano-kenichi/

Link to movie depicting Kafka-esque Japanese legal system. Even So, I Didn't Do It! (Soredemo Boku Wa Yattenai) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jsHQpAP0vM&t=3041s

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Honestly speaking, it's likely that Ghosn is guilty of something, but it is very unlikely that he acted without Nissan's help. In cases like this, we would wish that the prosecution could show its independence by laying the facts out plainly for all to see. Here, however, it looks very much like they are trying to pull all the blame on one guy in order to gain cooperation from others.

I guess if Hironaka gets in front of the cameras and raises doubts in the public's mind about fairness, it might open up a wider investigation. (Certainly the public must have lost trust in Japanese companies to police themselves.) But if he simply says that Ghosn is 100% innocent, I think the public will find it hard to swallow.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I know nothing of either of these lawyers, but judging by their appearances, Otsuru looks like the typical company man while Hironaka looks like a ball buster. Might be interesting.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ugh. Did I actually just agree with Akie?? World must be coming to an end.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I noticed it from Ghosn's statement at his first court appearance that he was not listening to his lawyer.  His statement was not effective.  It was like the one for a jury trial.  I think Ghosn wrote it all by himself.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

macv - right on. An excellent link. Thanks. I'd only heard of the name of Asano before. Fascinating guy.

The media in Japan are the lubricant to smooth the relationship between Govt Inc, Police Inc & Big Inc.

And they all work against the public - the good citizens of Japan - to keep control.

An important role of media in most modern democracies is to provide a check and balance on the going ons within the organs (and associates) of govt, and the dissemination of factual news. Of course it's not perfect, with bias being shown by many companies, but this is counter-balanced by the willingness of other media to challenge such views and opinions and allowing the people to decide on evidence/information provided.

Japan essentially edits / filters all news through it's kow-towing kisha system and through the power of entities such as Govt (sontaku) & Companies (eg Dentsu - hallowed be thy name).

Only very recently concepts of the rights of accused in police / judicial procedures has been openly discussed /  reported on.

However, even with the famous cases of wrongful imprisonment that have been widely published, the Police/Prosecution/Judiciary Inc has barely given an inch and takes all opposing comments and opinions as mistaken, wrong or lies. They believe they are the only arbiters of truth. And the media allows them this duplicity.

Ghosn - whether guilty or innocent - and even with new representation, has an Everest to scale, just to get a fair hearing both inside the judicial system and outside in the media system.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Schopenhauer - There is no chance Ghosn returns to Nissan and Renault. This topic is obsolete. He spent 20 years at Nissan. That was enough. He will retire and enjoy the rest of his life with a lot of money he earned.

Don’t be so sure. The Japanese prosecutors seem very steadfast in their charges and will not give up without a fight. If Ghosn is proven guilty in a Japanese kangaroo court his wealth will be disolved and he will be spending many years in a Japanese prison. Don’t forget, under the Japanese injustice system he is already guilty. He has to prove his innocence to those who are convinced he is guilty.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The legal system is a joke. The judges and prosecutors work in the same building and sometimes the same floor. Conflict of interest much?

Neither the prosecutors or defense teams really know how to debate. They rely on confessions and manipulating evidence like withholding evidence, forgery, and destroying evidence.

I initially stated that hiring the first lawyer was a bad idea because his loyalties will be with the prosecutors not Ghosn. I can guess that the lawyer has been trying to steer Ghosn into confessing to something, so the prosecutors could save face, he could go free and Nissan would be rid of him. The lawyer just wanted to make name for himself in a high profile case.

The prosecution doesn't have anything that is why they keep recharging him to hold him. They think he will eventually confess to something. Now, Ghosn has nothing to lose but his honor.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

If Nissan is going thru this much trouble to get rid of the guy who saved their company from total failure, as well as the prosecutors office - guess what Ghosn - you WILL be found guilty of something. Taking bets now.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I also wouldn't be surprised if the first lawyer was a mole feeding information to the prosecutors office.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Do the hustle

Most first offenders are not imprisoned in Japan. They are given suspended sentences or paroled unless it is a grave offense.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

There is no chance Ghosn returns to Nissan and Renault.

and why would Ghosn do that when hes already resigned as chairman, what he is now doing is exposing the corrupt legal system in Japan for the whole world too see, everybody knows Japanese kryptonite is criticism , now he has a legal team thats prepared to expose the flaws and illogical rulings, things are really going to get interesting. The more embarrassment to Japan for the world too see the more pressure on the J prosecutors to actually do their jobs and compile evidence, theyre highly unlikely to get a guilty plea from Ghosn. Hes not your average sheeple thatll tow the line

5 ( +7 / -2 )

He declined to agree with foreign criticism of Ghosn's detention conditions or the Japanese legal system that allows suspects to be held almost indefinitely, appearing to side with the authorities against his own client.

What a joke that lawyer is. I could tell by his appearance that he didn't look much like a fighter but more like a whimp. He probably already pocketed his chakushukin or "starters fee" for this case, so he doesn't care if he gets replaced now. I've also had this experience before with people who you expected to suppport you but they seem to end up supporting the opposite side. That's Japan for ya.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Carlos have been tricked , back-stabbed by saikawa at Nissan Japan. saikawa had used a very normal bad japanese way of bullying Carlos, who was his boss and even respected him and help him. No good Japanese or any human beings in this living world should let saikawa or Nissan get away. We must hear both sides of the story. No human being should bully another human being to such a level. Gambatte Carlos. We want to hear yr story too.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The whole west media is on Ghosn's side, and he is utilizing it.

There have been a number of articles very critical of Ghosn in English and French. He is hated by the Renault workers' union and left-leaning French publications have been very critical of him. Both the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times have had highly critical articles as well as some pro-Ghosn editorials. So too for some American auto industry publications.

Macron is known to be highly critical of Ghosn. French support for Ghosn has been conspicuous by its absence. In the context of the yellow vest movement in France, a "fat cat" or Davos Man like Ghosn is not going to get much support.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Don't fret because the new team members won't get anything done, either. All these claims of THIS guy is gonna be the best because he used to be part of the prosecutors special team, and now THIS guy will be better because he has a nickname, and blah blah blah. They all serve the same masters within the same system. If the Japanese prosecutors want you bad enough, they'll find a way to make it happen. There will be no acquittal.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'll wait for Ghosn's book. It will undoubtedly be a fun read. And I hope, as a best-seller, it fries all the asses of the people at Nissan and in the Japanese legal system who tried to do the same to him.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

All lawyers in Japan come from the same cookie-cutter do not upset the system do not betray your compatriots mold as do all prosecutors judges journalists and basically all authorities. If any buck the system they will be blacklisted and banished.

Sad but true. Yes.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japn need good changes if Japan wants good foreign brains that can be advised by the good honest Japanese. Carlos case is the maximum of an example that Japan must show to the world. 2 sides of the story, not just Nissan story with aback-stabber as the leading man , saikawa. S.O.B. Saikawa is the cause that no good intelligent Foreigners want to come to Japan. Sad for all good honest Japanese.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Carlos Ghosn needs a Philadelphia lawyer not that inept Att. Otsuru :)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

As the old saying goes, " let the games - begin! "

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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