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Ghosn's wife slams Japanese justice

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By Alessandra Galloni and Samia Nakhoul

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50 Comments
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I agree.

Won't someone think of the rich?

-26 ( +4 / -30 )

Japan's justice minister has said Ghosn's escape from his trial could constitute a crime.

"Could?" Well I suppose it's to be expected that a Justice Minister here wouldnt know either way! They certainly should have the initiative to find out though!

24 ( +25 / -1 )

Tokyo prosecutors have said his allegations of a conspiracy are false and that he has failed to justify his acts.

Somewhat ironically, that’s almost the exact thing people are saying about Tokyo Prosecutors...

30 ( +32 / -2 )

Carlos Ghosn was even more adamant. "I spent 18 years in Japan; I never suspected this brutality, this lack of fairness, this lack of empathy."

I've been here since the 1970's contributed to society worked with police eradicating rampant film piracy, helped hundreds of Japanese with their careers as exec recruiter 30 years - all was great until I was victimized by a two-bit Japanese thug in public - was denied justice and treated like fecal by jingoist officials who don't deserve the positions they hold. I have to live a longer life now to fight them 'til the day I die.

39 ( +41 / -2 )

Ghosn's wife slams Japanese justice

GOOD!! And..

Japanese Justice?? Those 2 words should not be used in the same sentence.

Carlos Ghosn was even more adamant. "I spent 18 years in Japan; I never suspected this brutality, this lack of fairness, this lack of empathy."

Very true. None of us did when we first came here.

Japan's justice minister has said Ghosn's escape from his trial could constitute a crime.

That idiot couldn't find her butt with both hands.

24 ( +32 / -8 )

Assumed guilt in Japan means ‘guilty’

The Japanese authorities are always correct and refuse to step into a more enlightened paradigm.

Carlos and his wife, having freedom, continue to pummel the idea that Japan is a first world country and the result is most damaging.

24 ( +29 / -5 )

Tokyo prosecutors have said his allegations of a conspiracy are false

Those prosecutors should be prosecuted for lying.

25 ( +31 / -6 )

It seems Ghosn would need a trial somewhere (in neutral country) that judges him guilty or innocent if he really wants to be innocent, otherwise he is a fugitive under the red notice forever if he wants this way.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Those prosecutors should be prosecuted for lying.

Well said!!

10 ( +16 / -6 )

She's 54. Good to know. How old's he? The article doesn't say.

Apart from that, honestly, he was right to run. FTJP.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

"I'm done with Japan," said Carole Ghosn

Me too mate! My situation is being barred from seeing my kids. As a result, I am also, "Done with Japan!"

22 ( +24 / -2 )

I'm very happy for the both of them! I could only imagine the rubbish they've been through with the wicked police here. Ghosn described it best :

"They wanted to break me, they wanted to put me into a situation where life was miserable,"

That level of honesty is classic! I hope the right people picks up on the system here and make it public of how outdated things are here and the lack of "justice" for people here. Both Japanese and non Japanese.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Suspected of a crime in one country but expects or wants to hold trial in home country, now that would be very convenient if it was realistic.

Justice in Japan is non existent but if you live here you live under that, by that and with that knowing that.

-19 ( +2 / -21 )

@Disillusioned I sincerely hope you get to see your kids again.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

@MSR Japan

Why accept such a dire situation-I never would...

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Ghosn has been changed a lot after he met Carole in America. He was modest with ex-wife Nita. Ghosn was very diligent and honest person, because he probably remembers what his father did in Lebanon. Ghosn needed and spent a lot of money after he met Carole. She is a really very extravagant woman and loves to show up around famous rich people (politicians, CEOs,,,) in America, France, and go all over the world. Carole married Ghosn because he was a head of Nissan and made a lot of income. But Carole wanted much more money than, so probably Ghosn would unwillingly have done such financial misconducts for her gorgeous life .

-20 ( +1 / -21 )

Interesting commentary!!

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/01/15/commentary/japan-commentary/whats-next-ghosn-following-flight-lebanon/#.Xh-_wmSRVkw

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Thank you Mrs.Ghosn for spotlight this injustice system in the face of the democratic world and nations.

I read a news today in another newspaper which even Macron pressed many times the Japanese PM in give a more human treatment to Carlos Ghosn.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Ghosn would unwillingly have done such financial misconducts for her gorgeous life .

How many times do we have to say? Innocent until proven guilty!

12 ( +16 / -4 )

"I'm done with Japan" I'm done with A LOT of things, but they are still around me. Acknowledging stupid stuff wears down the soul. Just let it slide out of awareness. Focus on essentials.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

kurisupisuToday 09:46 am JST

@MSR Japan

Why accept such a dire situation-I never would...

So kurisupisuToday you are not living in Japan then?

If you live in a country you live in it under its law.

Even if you do not agree with those laws you still live under that, by that and with that knowing that.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

"I'm done with Japan," said Carole Ghosn in an interview with her husband in a private house in Beirut

Both are looking healthy, stress free and in their natural habitat.

Good for them.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

Note to self.

Don't get caught up in the Japanese justice system.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

The photo is kind of funny; they dont seem to care at all what the Japanese think...)

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Tokyo prosecutors have said his allegations of a conspiracy are false 

It's already verified by media and more to come. Ghosn also mentioned that Nissan 200 million dolar to set up him. Why would any company spend that much money unless there's a actual reason.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-01-13/nissan-executives-step-up-plans-for-possible-renault-split-ft-video

8 ( +10 / -2 )

"What they're accusing me of is a bit of a joke," said the 54-year-old Lebanese-American national, who spent many years as a fashion designer in New York and whose children live in the U.S. city. "I testified for hours and they told me you are free to go, and now, nine months later... this comes up. They are vindictive. This has nothing to do with the law."

Her arrest warrant just come just before Ghosn starting his first press conference after his escape. While in April last year Ghosn was re-arrested for new charge just when he tried to arrange his press conference while he was on bail. So coincidences?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

It takes a moral compasses to have a fair fight and as time dragged on we all got to witness the sticky dark arts and tactics of the prosecutors and co. at work. Enjoy your freedom Mr and Mrs Ghohnsan. Finally free from this black hole of cold hearted expediency; knowing you are doing the wrong thing and doing it anyway, hiding behind the herd and trying to stack the deck in your favor. Fail on all counts, legally, economically, philosophically, psychologically and even from a simple humanistic level. Change or no? The move is yours now on the cultural chess board.

Like they say in Thailand,

Up to people.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Mrs Ghosn is right on the money

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Justice system in Japan needs to be fix. No doubt. But Ghosn still needs to face trial for what he did. Lets not forget his alleged crimes. Why so many here are falling for his manipulations? He was indicted by the SEC in the US, French govt isn't supporting him, and both Nissan and Renault has cut ties with him.

And Yes, did i forget to say Japan justice system is crap? But that doesn't change what Ghosn did.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

"I testified for hours and they told me you are free to go, and now, nine months later... this comes up. They are vindictive. This has nothing to do with the law."

BINGO!

"Japan's Justice Minister Masako Mori has called the accusations "absolutely intolerable.""

Oops! Got caught, and they can't bear it. Treating people like sub-humans is just fine in her book, but being embarrassed on the world stage for Japan's actions -- INTOLERABLE! And of course, very regrettable. I'm glad Japan's complete and utter violations of human rights are being put on the world stage for all to see. It's not like he's springing this on everyone suddenly, although he is releasing details and proof now that he's out that he could not before, but all during his illegal incarceration we heard about how he was not given access to proper lawyers at times, or how he was isolated, not able to see his wife, etc. Japan is well known, and I daresay even proud of, keeping people in prison with ZERO notification to others until they get a forced confession. The police are still fighting tooth and nail to avoid having cameras and audio recordings of interrogations for this express purpose.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Yes the Japanese justice system is alone corrupted failure, but I bet this man has done some terrible things.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Yes the Japanese justice system is alone corrupted failure, but I bet this man has done some terrible things.

I think most people here acknowledge that he might have had some shady dealings. But that does not excuse the unfair treatment he got. Keep in mind that his collegue at Nissan was proven to have cheated the company, and his punishment was.... retirement. Not a day in jail or under house arrest.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Japan's justice minister has said Ghosn's escape from his trial could constitute a crime.

Oh, please...Mori-San...? No crime was committed in the first place and now this? You're hilarious!

9 ( +11 / -2 )

A system whereby a person can be accused of any crime without evidence, incarcerated indefinitely in solitary confinement, interrogated daily without a lawyer present and threatened with worse treatment if they do not confess is not a justice system. It's a 'Japanese' system that is far from justice!

Yes the Japanese justice system is alone corrupted failure, but I bet this man has done some terrible things.

No! Ghoan is 'accused' of terrible things and was detained for 14 months with no chance to defend the 'allegations' brought against him. If you watch his press conference he shows how the allegations are false and also shows the monies he is accused of mishandling were all approved by the board of directors. Ghosn may very well be 'accused of' terrible crimes, but his treatment by the Japanese judicial system is far more terrible.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

What comment do you expect from the wife of a criminal?

Ofcourse she would take his side. You can find wives of mobs, gangs, corrupt officials who also support their husband. Big news right here!! Not

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

Joe yan# if you had sat in a small cell for 150 days where the light never goes off, questioned seven hours a day trying to force you to breakdown and to confess to something you know was not true ( ok we will find out over the next few years exactly how guilty he was ), denied contact with your wife, being portrayed as an evil dictator by a media in collusion, this to a nation you truly loved and gave 17 years of your life. Having resurrected a flagship mega-company from the brink of disaster only to be betrayed in the most awful and cowardly manner by your own team, stripped of your dignity.

Then told by the prosecutors that they still need another year, delay the trial after its all now about saving face. It takes a lot of time and planning to make a farce look real. After seeing what you were up against, knowing that a fair trial in the modern sense of the word would be near impossible under these collectivist style gang tactics, then maybe you would have made the call to get the hell out of dodge too. It’s not as if many of us following the case thought that suddenly those involved would all do a bit of soul searching and question their motives and tactics any day soon. We all live here and know that wouldn’t happen, especially at the upper echelons. They will go down denying with the ship, for to admit wrongdoing and mistake means someone must be held accountable, groupthink just doesn’t go there. Back to the default of deny, distract and defend.

so , what would you have done? Given up?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The Japanese justice system is very tough. This has both positive and negative results.

Positive in that it helps keep crime levels very low in comparison to other countries. For that, I am very grateful. Negative in that if administered unfairly then the innocent suffer greatly, as some posters here have.

As far as Ghosn goes, I would say that if he was guilty of those accusations then he should be punished. The rich get away with stuff that us common folk would never get away with. Nevertheless, I think it is hypocritical that he was treated so harshly, when so many Japanese execs and elites are committing similar crimes and either getting away with it or getting slaps on the wrists. Obviously there was an agenda to get him.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The Japanese justice system is very tough. This has both positive and negative results.

Positive in that it helps keep crime levels very low in comparison to other countries.

That's because Japanese justice system? Japanese society are contributing even more to make crime level really low.

As far as Ghosn goes, I would say that if he was guilty of those accusations then he should be punished. 

Being in solitary confinement for months facing harsh interrogation everyday including on Saturday and Sunday for 7 hours, while being coerced to make confession and plead guilty.

If being found guilty because all of that, is that really fair system?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

of course innocence by looks is never a good idea but, I just dont get the vibe that he is a bad dude. His conviction, his composure and his determination, just dont add up to me as a man of great wrong doings.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I couldn't care less about what his wife thinks. If she is an accomplice in the process of taking a man illegally out of the country, there should be a warrant on her head as well.

Now that French authorities also appear to be on Ghosn's case, there is no doubt that the man is a crook of the highest order who needs to be brought befoe a judge at any cost. If I were France and/or Japan, I would put my best people from foreign affairs, especially my best prosecutors who are proficient with international law so Lebanon could get pounded hard for sheltering him.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

What had happened in Japan to Carlos is totally unacceptable. Carlos may have got some bad advices from his co-workers like saikawa or japanese accountants or advisers but these cases can be slove inside Nissan. Japan got to try to be fair. I give all an example, I was at a AGM for a very important international group. Some old founding members insisted on following their own rules even if the rules were illegal internationally. The president have to point out that the Japanese rules are illegal internationally but the japanese insist on following their rules because this is japan. The international members were shocked. Therefore, I am sure that carlos and his wife truly have this problems in japan. Truly, japan is not global or international at all.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Japan's justice minister has said Ghosn's escape from his trial could constitute a crime.

I don't think the translation by Thomsom Reuters is correct.

NBC reported :

"It is clear that we don't have any records of the defendant departing Japan, hence we believe that he left Japan illegally," Mori said.

Japan's Justice Minister, MORI Masako is a qualified attornery in Japan. So, she's definite about Mr. Carlos Ghosn's unlawful immigration.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"I'm done with Japan," 

Unfortunately Nissan made them, finally done with Japan, the whole thing have been arranged way before he landed in Haneda in November 2018.

When Ghosn claim there is a conspiracy there are plenty evidences that support that, arrangement between Nissan and law officer, Nissan put some budget to get him and Greg Kelly also report that there are some plan to split between Renault and Nissan that discovered by media.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

As Sakarasuki said, it's evident that a coup was in the works long before Ghosn was arrested. The fact that Saikawa was behind it, later guilty of fund misappropriation himself, and is not behind bars, shows the absolute bias and discrimination of the joke that is the Japanese justice system!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

AlexBecu, respectfully, you sir, know nothing about the law!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

shows the absolute bias and discrimination of the joke that is the Japanese justice system!

Yep

3 ( +3 / -0 )

AlexBecu, respectfully, you sir, know nothing about the law!

Need to do a bit better than that. What specifically he ignorant of in his comment?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ghosn has been able to draw Global attention to the inadequacies of Japanese Justice - which is totally wrong and unjust.

I totally agree with the Ghosn's view upon interrogations from my own Personal experience. My view here is that some of the Police force here, are akin to the German Wartime Gestapo or Kenpeitai... not all, just some, and its them, alone, who really give rise to the bad reputation that has now spread out beyond the border of this Country.

I hope that this whole messy situation results in positive action and Japan weeds out the bad apples, and follows the path of a more open Justice system , fairer and less subject to manipulation internally or externally.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Carlos Ghosn was even more adamant. "I spent 18 years in Japan; I never suspected this brutality, this lack of fairness, this lack of empathy."

Very true. None of us did when we first came here.

This is a beautiful country. The people have treated me very well. Too bad their police treat foreigners like criminals with multiple convictions of felony.

I left my driver’s license in my wallet at home when I switched bags on the weekend and my mirror bumped the mirror of another car on a narrow street. The other driver, called the police right away probably having dealt with a foreigner. I was driving without a license on me but everything else was good: valid license, insurance, and vehicle registration.

I was taken in and detained not only from about 11:30 to 17:30 by the police of Shibuya police station but they also would not let me go unless I called my boss and make him come down to the station. He came and they announced to him I was driving without a license and then released me. The intention was to shame me in front of my boss.

I believe these horror stories of how foreigners are treated. Change is needed.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

but they also would not let me go unless I called my boss and make him come down to the station

Probably were trying to shame you, but in Japan there is a tradition of them calling your wife, boss, etc (must be Japanese) and they come down and yell at you, humilate you, then apologize to the police for this "troublesome" foreigner and play the games, then all is good. If you dont have that, good luck. Its just one of the control things about this society.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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