Japan sends vice justice minister to Lebanon on Ghosn case

Japan sends vice justice minister to Lebanon on Ghosn case

A Japanese vice minister for justice is heading to Lebanon for talks on the case of former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn.

Mr Ghosn fled Japan for his home country in December while awaiting trial on four charges of financial misconduct.

Justice Minister Masako Mori said that she was dispatching deputy justice minister Hiroyuki Yoshiie to Beirut to explain the Japanese criminal justice system and improve cooperation.

“Regarding Lebanon, where Mr Ghosn escaped to, we believe that it is important that a proper understanding of the Japanese criminal justice system is understood and to prevent international crime by strengthening cooperation in the legal and judicial fields,” Ms Mori said.

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Mr Ghosn led Nissan for nearly 20 years. (David Parry/PA)

Ms Mori acknowledged that there were “various environments” and laws that underpin different positions on the issue in each country.

Mr Ghosn was arrested in late 2018 and is facing charges of under-reporting income and breach of trust. He says he is innocent.

Having spent months in detention and struggled to gain his release on bail under stringent conditions, Mr Ghosn said he fled in the belief he could not get a fair trial in Japan.

Mr Yoshiie is expected to meet with the Lebanese justice minister on Monday.

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