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Renault denounces Nissan over Ghosn investigation: report

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By ERIC PIERMONT

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Free Ghosn!

This was a calculated attempt by Nissan to undermine Ghosn for petty business reasons.

Ghosn made Nissan, formerly one of the most boring and underachieving international automobile makers, into a respectable car company again.

22 ( +30 / -8 )

So far the French car giant has said its internal probe into its former boss has found his pay was in compliance with French law.

Thus undermining anything Saikawa and Nissan and their hapless prosecutors friends magically come up with tomorrow or the next day or the next

17 ( +26 / -9 )

Nissan dug their own hole, as much as I don't really like Renault, they should pick apart the C-level of Nissan to get some real people in charge.

15 ( +20 / -5 )

"Renault has gathered sufficient evidence to understand and regret the methods used by Nissan and its lawyers to seek interviews with Renault employees through the Japanese public prosecutor's office," they said.

Main goal for Nissan is to remove Ghosn and accept no chairman from Renault in the future.

Nissan Motor Co. is unwilling to support an arrangement with its alliance partner Renault SA that would place the same person in the chairman’s role at both companies, 

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/02/07/business/corporate-business/ghosn-nissan-no-longer-willing-share-chairman-partner-renault-says-source/

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Oh please. Read between the lines.

They are not against the result of the Japanese investigation. They are against the process/method.

Renault would have nipped it in the bud, had they known about the accusations against Gibson. They wouldn’t have been public.

The Gohsn affair exposed Renault itself and the French Unions are asking for deep investigations too.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Whatever Ghosn may have done, you can bet that the French are absolutely furious with how this went down!!

And they know EXACTLY why Saikawa and J Inc took down Ghosn the way they did!!

I have a feeling things are going to get really interesting between Renault and Nissan!!

11 ( +16 / -5 )

So far the French car giant has said its internal probe into its former boss has found his pay was in compliance with French law.

Thus undermining anything Saikawa and Nissan and their hapless prosecutors friends magically come up with tomorrow or the next day or the next

But one has to keep in mind that whatever Renault says regarding French law compliance is going to be rebuffed here in Japan by Nissan because this is Japan, and French laws do not apply.

This information really needs to get out in the Japanese mainstream media, and it will be interesting to see just how much the wideshows and Japanese news reports about it. So far all here have pretty much made Ghosen out to be the bad guy and have not reported much if anything about the discrepancies.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Nissan won’t get away with this.

The Japanese law system and media have been exposed to the western now.

And France rightfully so won’t let things get away like this.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Nissan is working as a tool of Japanese prosecutors,

3 ( +12 / -9 )

"Renault has gathered sufficient evidence to understand and regret the methods used by Nissan and its lawyers to seek interviews with Renault employees through the Japanese public prosecutor's office," they said.

Read that slowly. Nissan was using the Public Prosecutors Office to compel Renault staff to make themselves available for interviews.

If the J.P.O need information they can seek these interviews by themselves without Nissan getting involved.

Nissan was seeking "evidence to support allegations against Carlos Ghosn after his arrest" and failed to consult its French partner, according to the newspaper.

One would think that an investigation is for the purpose of gathering evidence on whether an allegation is true or not. That is unless you already have a position and you are just backing that up. Smells like they are trying to find a scapegoat.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

Nissan is working as a tool of Japanese prosecutors,

Could also be the other way around. "Japanese prosecutors" are working as a tool of "Nissan." Hard to tell which is it.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

As the story dies down in the J media ( there’s no way to spin it anymore ) real quick it’ll be up to outside sources to keep this in the limelight. For many locals this is already old news. No real will to see reform ( nor real justice ) in this farce of a judiciary it seems. Holding the 64 year old savior of Nissan in a holding pen like this apparently just doesn’t push the necessary buttons. Not surprised either. Kankenai, Sho ga nai, mendokusai. The old magical disappearing trick. You ignore it enough and it goes away.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

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So much for a cooperative alliance !

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A bientôt, Renault !!! .

1 ( +7 / -6 )

.

Rather strange that Renault would need to chastise Nissan, when Renault CEO Senard has already cited 2 misappropriation of funds by Ghosn:

Euro 500,000 for the 2016 Versailles wedding ( which Ghosn admitted and says he will pay back .. duhhhhh?)

2.Euro 600,000 for Versailles 60th birthday party

Senard has referred these to the French prosecutor.

.

Renaults superciliousness will backfire .

It spurs Nissan to find a way out of the alliance.

Wait and see.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Forget about Ghosn. He is a person of the past. I am just interested in how Nissan will be in the future. Also, I want hear opinions of insiders of Nissan and opinions of other car makers.

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

This is all taking too long now, Japan is bluffing, and they got nothing on him.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Forget about Ghosn. He is a person of the past. I am just interested in how Nissan will be in the future. 

I hope you are never in a position where you depend on people on the "outside" to remember YOU.

Give him his day in court before lynching him at least!

2 ( +12 / -10 )

Both legal teams are on a collision course, beyond Ghosn. Something will happen bitterly.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

I think about time !

Its always a grey area, philanthropy business image property near work sites, gosh even the Queen walks a fine line.

Prosecutors work on prosecuting, they were the wrong Department from the start, it should have been retirement negotiation, and succession management, and could still be, depends on a suitable Chairman, and a supported CEO.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I suppose the play here is to force Renault to abandon Nissan by holding Ghosn hostage indefinitely. Even though Renault owns Nissan shares and can do nothing. The only way this works is if Nissan also gets the new CEOs also arrested. And just keep arresting new CEOs until Renault gives up

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Rather strange that Renault would need to chastise Nissan, when Renault CEO Senard has already cited 2 misappropriation of funds by Ghosn:

Euro 500,000 for the 2016 Versailles wedding ( which Ghosn admitted and says he will pay back .. duhhhhh?)2.Euro 600,000 for Versailles 60th birthday party

Senard has referred these to the French prosecutor.

Overexaggerating to make your point here? It wasnt €500,000 it was €50,000 or @$57,000 and it was to celebrate his wedding and wife's 50th birthday party.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/business/carlos-ghosn-versailles-renault.html

There is nothing about any €60,000 for the Versailles 60th birthday party? Is that supposed to be a joke or what? Do you have any idea just how old the palace is? Right just exaggerating again to make your point!

https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/renault-alert-french-prosecutors-over-ghosns-wedding-costs

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Wouldn't be surprised to see a massive lawsuit, which will most likely result in Renault owning most of Nissans assets outside Japan. Followed by the eventual end of Nissan, who will be bought out by another foreign company, probably from China.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

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@ yubaru

.

:-) from bloomberg

Ghosn's Glittering Versailles Parties Shift Focus to Renault

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-08/ghosn-to...

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BTW the zeros were typo's. Unlike ghosn I can admit a mistake ;-)

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

.

which will most likely result in Renault owning most of Nissans assets outside Japan*. 

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Not going to happen !

Renault , like Nissan , is federally subsidized.

French economy is shakey - ergo : yellow vests storming the streets.

They can't afford a law suit.

Nissan will dissolve the alliance- probably already have a caveat.

.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

@semperfi... did you even read the article ( the link that you provided ). Your hatred for Ghosn has clouded your judgement so much that you didn’t even understand the article are are arguing baselessly with Yubaru! Here say and evidence are two separate things and don’t go around labeling people guilty without evidence! As a human have some humanity because there is such a thing called Karma...someday you might be accused and declared guilty without a day in court!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

@ MikeH

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Face the the facts. Ghosn mismanaged the funds for personal benefit. ( It is has nothing to do with hatred or love)

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Why would Ghosn's French Lawyer concede, and make a public statement saying *that Ghosn agrees to pay the money back *, if it were 'hearsay'.

.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The only way out for Nissan is to pay a massive premium on shares held by Renault & end the relationship, which is WHAT they should have done in the beginning instead of kidnapping two people to hold for ransom!

Any has been said too often, SET & start this in COURT!!!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Finally! The cracks are now starting to show. This news only confirms what most of us knew already that this was an internal power struggle within Nissan more specifically its CEO. Now would be a good idea for Renault to insist on his removal.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Our government is working with Saikawa to destroy the alliance, if you can read Japanese, then read our propaganda and key words they use, 'foreign alliance is a big mistake' 'perhaps if this was Japanese run only we would not be like this ' etc etc

Reuters and Associated Press don't state the discriminatory parts..

French should man up and take this to international court.. Our judicial system is becoming communist by the day..

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Everyday more 'news' is dumped so people can forget the FACTS and agree like sheep to this gov/Saikawa charade all for fake pride to break this alliance.

Every to forget the garbage management pre Nissan which was in the red, they forget how Nissan wouldn't exist without Ghosn.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Nissan is working as a tool of Japanese prosecutors,

and vice-versa

7 ( +10 / -3 )

They can't afford a law suit. Nissan will dissolve the alliance- probably already have a caveat.

oh please Japan gov is $10 trillion in debt still doesn't stop them spending money, what can't be afforded is Nissan buyback,at a premium, are the 43% shares owned by Renault, even if they could afford it its unlikely Renault would sell. Id say itll be far more easier for Renault to do an aggressive takeover and buy the remaining 17% shares in Nissan, then itll be checkmate fother mucker. Although I personally dont think Renault would do that option, so as it stands Nissan just has to libe with the fact that anther gaijin will be leading the alliance now Ghosn has gone.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

So far the French car giant has said its internal probe into its former boss has found his pay was in compliance with French law.

This whole situation with Ghosn stinks. It just seems to be a witch hunt. The above statement may very well be true, but Japanese law has to many interpretations to apply to Ghosn’s arrest. Keeping him in lock up until they build their case shows how much of a farce Japanese law really is. He has only been accused of a crime by a disgruntled ‘whistleblower’ who has remained nameless, but Ghosn will spend six months behind bars waiting for these idiots to try to find enough evidence to support the accusations. That is criminal. Ghosn is innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. The ramifications of this action are going to go on for years and I grtbthe feeling it’s going to be the end of Nissan- I hope it is anyway.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

BTW the zeros were typo's. Unlike ghosn I can admit a mistake ;-)

And get your stories straight, even your own link, there is no mention of a 60th birthday party that cost 600,000 EU it was the 15th anniversary party of the alliance. Not to mention that in the very same link Ghosen is paying back the 50,000 EU for his wedding party.

You are lynching a person on heresay evidence. Hope it never happens to you!

1 ( +8 / -7 )

I cannot recall who said it, but one of our posters said it on one of the earlier articles.

"The Japanese Government hastily jumped at the bone placed by Nissan. Now they are simply holding Ghosn because they are trying to build a case against him and save face."

The person that said something to that extent seems like they hit the nail on the head. Ghosn has always been a figure that many conservatives in Japan did not like. He changed many of their working habits and he demanded an unsually high salary. Although Ghosn was not the highest paid CEO in Japan, the salary structure than rewarded him instead of having it as a bonus structure was something many conversatives did not like. Also, he got rid of the tenured promotion system for Nissan and instead promoted people as well as gave people bonuses indicative of what they actually accomplished in Nissan. That system that is seen more in Western companies was frowned upon by conservatives in Japan.

Furthermore, having a big name such as Nissan become the subject of potentially being bought out by a foreign firm rubbed many conservatives the wrong way. Also, many Japanese heads, especially those in Government hated the Nissan Renault deal because Nissan had no say in Renault business activities because they had no voting rights; however, Renault does have a say in Nissan activities because of its voting shares. Also, since Saikawa knew his time with the company was coming to an end, he decided to pull the trigger and offer Ghosn up to the government without sufficient evidence. The government was merely a pawn. They are trying to save face and build a case now.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Ithink it's time Renault bought another 7% of Nissan and took control properly and sorted out the corrupt organisation.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

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@ Yubaru

I read many news items from different sources each day , and do not click and save links.

According to the report below - it WAS Euro 600.000 for the BIRTHDAY party ( as reported below)

Clearly this is not 'hearsay'.

French Finance Minister is confirming the report results from an Investigation they launched..

.

*https://pres5.com/forextrading/ghosn-to-reimburse-versailles*..

"....Les Echos reported Ghosn hosted a black-tie evening in March, 2014 for 200 guests to mark the 15th anniversary of the car alliance. The society event costing an estimated 600,000 euros was held on the day he turned 60 and not the day the companies’ partnership started in 1999.

Renault declined to comment and Ghosn’s lawyer and spokespeople for the alliance couldn’t be reached for immediate comment.

Renault started an internal probe in November, shortly after Ghosn was arrested. Following the Versailles revelations, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the investigation is “starting to get results.”

0 ( +5 / -5 )

So far the French car giant has said its internal probe into its former boss has found his pay was in compliance with French law.

But what they do not say, is that since Hollande's govnerment and Macron as Minister of Economy, Ghosn's tax residence has moved from France to Netherlands (the same country as where the Alliance HQ is).

The CEO of a major French company (partially owned by the French Gov'), moving tax residence from France, and everyone letting this happening without opening their mouth. Such a stain !

All politicians, including those at the gov' at that time, just shut their mouth, noone disapprouved or even tried to prevent this from happening.

As for Ghosn's salary in Renault, everything was already been negociated, even Ghosn's golden parachutes for when he will retire. Everything was approuved both by Renault and the Governement.

So, basically, Ghosn does not pay taxes in France ; and all the money he perceived and will perceive (golden parachutes, etc...) was approuved by both Renault and the Government.

How wouldn't they say that Ghosn's pay was in compliance with French law !? They would never say that Ghosn's pay was not in compliance with French law, but they, both Renault and the Gov', just covered up.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@pessimist

I do not think Ghosn is fully innocent and I do not believe most are arguing about his innocence. What people have been fighting is his unfair treatment in this particular when you compare it to others, in Japan, that have done less, similar, and worst than what Ghosn is accused of. Also, the reason why people here seem to be challenging the Japanese system is because this is a news site in Japan that posts articles about Japan. If you go to sites of any other country, you would find the exact same results there about that particular country. People in America have problems with the American system, people in the UK have problems with the UK system, and people in Japan have problems with the Japanese system. There is a mix of those for and those against. That is part of the point of these things.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Finance Minister is confirming the report results from an Investigation they launched..

Still does not make him guilty of anything. You and others just want him to be guilty, and dont care about laws.

People who dont want laws to be followed and want the media to try and convict someone based upon allegations prior to any trial are worse than the alleged criminals themselves.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

People in America have problems with the American system, people in the UK have problems with the UK system

I've lived in America and never met any foreigners who are so critical of American system as foreigners in Japan of Japan's system.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Nissan is working as a tool of Japanese prosecutors,

Most Japanese are terrified of the prosecutor. With good reason too. It would appear that in Japan a person can be detained indefinitely, with "judges" seemingly powerless to prevent it.

A seemingly untouchable bureaucrat.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I've lived in America and never met any foreigners who are so critical of American system as foreigners in Japan of Japan's system.

Argument by anecdote. One Japanese person (?) who lived in the US for an unspecified period of time, knowing how many foreigners/immigrants (of what generation) vs. how many foreigners said Japanese woman knows in Japan (in actual life vs. those encountered on the equivalent of message boards). IOW, there's no way to quantify which group is more full of whingers.

And AOTA, even if it could be statistically proven to bear out your pt. Even if we all agree Westerners like to complain more, this still ignores the mastodon in the room--which "system" functions better, for natives or foreigners alike. Maybe, just maybe, we complain more b/c your system is so fundamentally undemocratic.

When you strip away the shirts vs. skins, the us vs. them, and just think objectively about which system is better for everyone who lives under it, greater clarity can be achieved. Your entire approach, statist to its roots, is about putting "others" in their place, that we shouldn't criticize "your" system. Meanwhile, any Japanese who might have problems with the travesty of justice that takes place here are conveniently ignored.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Free Ghosn? The guy is guilty.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Mr. Ghosn, now you can sit back relax and watch Nissan drowning. Hoping that Nissan will get what they deserve back to the bottom again.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Nissan was seeking "evidence to support allegations against Carlos Ghosn after his arrest" and failed to consult its French partner, according to the newspaper.

Isn’t this the role of the investigators? By Nissan sticking their noses in doesn’t make them impartial to the investigation.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Free Ghosn? The guy is guilty.

actually he's innocent until a judge or jury rules him guilty, J prosecutors the J public and media don't have the power to do that, speculation and innuendo isn't proof of guilt. Unless you live in the land "guilty until proven innocent"

2 ( +8 / -6 )

@Tina

Have been following this story from Australia and I’m sure people would get a fairer trial in the US compared to Japan.

Why does everyone think he is guilty? Do you know something we don’t or are you only going on tidbits of information from his former employer?? The man hasn’t even had the facts tested in court!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

At 280ppm, CO2 has kept the average earth temperature at about 14 degrees C for at least the past 10 000 years. Now the level of CO2 in the atmosphere is 410 ppm, the highest level in at least the past 24m years (Eggleton, p177).

You think it has no effect if we keep adding to the level of CO2 in the atmosphere?

You see Ghosn wasn't just about saving Nissan twenty years ago he was about introducing LEAF ten years ago, and here you are squabbling about using the Palace of Versailles to celebrate Renaults sixty years as a car company, which cost sixty thousand, the price of ONE car !

0 ( +4 / -4 )

i don’t get why everyone seems to assume he’s innocent and that he’s victimized and being unfairly treated. He will have his day in court and the truth will come out.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

We support Renault attacked on Nissan. This is indeed a very bad underhand attack by Nissan. Never trust a bad Japanese selfish company with behind the back actions. Partners have to be informed in writings in business and in human lives. This shows Nissan is not ready to be in any international business. Nissan had shown many unfair actions. This is a good article of international business fairness. We support fair and good future in the Japanese society. Down with saikawa & Nissan & bad intentions bodies with selfish mind. No discussion and only one sided stories ????.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Its time the Prime Minister stepped in said sort out your own board room squabbles, you're hurting the image of the Prosecutors using them this way, there is no case to answer.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

i don’t get why everyone seems to assume he’s innocent and that he’s victimized and being unfairly treated. He will have his day in court and the truth will come out.

Purely because we choose not to make a decision about his guilt or innocence based upon allegations in the press and hearsay from commenters here.

You yourself with your question, written as it is, seem to assume he is guilty.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Purely because we choose not to make a decision about his guilt or innocence based upon allegations in the press and hearsay from commenters here.

Oh there are people who are claiming he's both definitely innocent and definitely guilty.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

You yourself with your question, written as it is, seem to assume he is guilty.

Ghosn was assumed guilty, that's why arrested and still detained.  Nothing wrong to assume his guilt now. .

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Ghosn was assumed guilty, that's why arrested

No, Japanese law is based on innocence, with guilt being required to be proven. It has not been proven yet.

Nothing wrong to assume his guilt now. .

Well, if you don't mind looking stupid for making incorrect assumptions, then there is nothing wrong...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

with guilt being required to be proven

Guilt is required to be proven but assuming guilt is not.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I'll wager that the Prosecutors & Japan, Inc. are feeling more than just a bit of remorse right now over all of this.

They obviously made a mistake in handling things and are now trying desperately to find something that will standup in court to support the allegations to save face. Ghosn certainly isn't a saint BUT proving criminal intent in court requires more than wishful thinking. Their game plan right now seems to be to keep Ghosn hidden away in detention hoping things go away.

The French prosecutors seem to be much more level headed and aren't so quick to jump without cause saying that "they haven't decided if they will pursue the allegation". If it had been in Japsn and Nissan had said "Did you notice the big event Ghosn held for Nissan just 'happened' to be on his birthday?" Whether coincidence or not the Japan prosecutors would have prematurely jumped on that too without checking if there was any evidence that would stand up on court!

Nissan really played the prosecutors when trying to pull off this coup! That says a lot about Japan's "justice" system!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I've lived in America and never met any foreigners who are so critical of American system as foreigners in Japan of Japan's system.

Foreigners in Japan who are not critical of Japan don't go around proclaiming "I am very happy here." You read only things written by people who have complaints. The main reason you don't encounter foreigners complaining about the US or the UK (two countries I know personally) is because you will get hammered if you do.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Foreigners in Japan who are not critical of Japan don't go around proclaiming "I am very happy here."

I'm not critical of Japan, and I am very happy here.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I'm not critical of Japan, and I am very happy here.

I am critical of Japan (sometimes) but I'm still very happy here.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The main reason you don't encounter foreigners complaining about the US or the UK (two countries I know personally) is because you will get hammered if you do.

I’m from the UK and have lived in the US and Japan. I give my opinions on all three countries - good and bad. I generally save the most vitriol for the country I’m from, the UK, perhaps because I care about it more than the other two countries and I know more about its faults.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Back on topic please.

I am critical of Japan (sometimes) but I'm still very happy here.

At least cleo is honest.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i don’t get why everyone seems to assume he’s innocent and that he’s victimized and being unfairly treated. He will have his day in court and the truth will come out.

And if he turns out to be innocent, he'll have been in detention for about a year for doing nothing wrong. Does that sound fair to you?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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