‘Theatre of disguise’ fails for Ghosn
TOKYO: The mystery of Carlos Ghosn’s strange attire when he was released from Japanese detention has been solved, his lawyer saying yesterday it was an effort to protect the former chairman of Nissan from intense media attention.
Many had been baffled why Ghosn was wearing a blue cap, surgical mask and construction worker’s outfit when he was released on bail on Wednesday. The disguise has riveted Japanese tabloid media, one TV show even featuring a reenactment with a man dressed in the same outfit.
Lawyer Takashi Takano said in a blog post that he took full responsibility for what he called the ‘‘theatre of disguise’’ and apologised for its failure.
The crowd of media, which had been waiting for Ghosn for hours, spotted him despite his outfit and followed the van he entered across town in a spectacle broadcast live on television.
‘‘My immature plan, as a result, has tarnished the reputation that he has devoted his whole life to build,’’ Takano said of his client.
Ghosn, who headed the RenaultNissanMitsubishi Motors alliance, has been charged with falsifying financial reports, underreporting his income and breach of trust in having Nissan Motor Co shoulder personal investment losses and make payments to a Saudi businessman.
He says he is innocent and that the income allegedly underreported was never paid or decided, that Nissan never suffered the investment losses and the payments were for legitimate services.
Takano asked the media to give his client privacy, saying people who faced trial needed to regain their normal lives.
In Japan, suspects are routinely kept in detention until preparations for their trials are ready, meaning they are often detained for months. The court rejected two earlier bail requests by Ghosn.
Ghosn was arrested on November 19 and his freedom came after 108 days.
Takano was successful in winning Ghosn’s relatively early release by offering special conditions such as a surveillance camera, restrictions on internet use as well as a specified place of residence.
Any violation of such restrictions could send Ghosn back into detention.
Takano said he came up with the disguise scheme because he was worried the place Ghosn would be living ‘‘would be known throughout the world’’. He said ‘‘by some miracle’’ Ghosn was able to reunite quietly with his family in his new residence.
Takano has a reputation for winning quick release on bail. He is also known for having studied US law and being aware of international standards in the criminal justice system.
Ghosn’s legal team also includes Junichiro Hironaka, reputed for winning highprofile acquittals in a nation where the conviction rate is
99%.
Nissan, which makes the March subcompact, Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models, has declined comment on the criminal case, but says its investigation has found misconduct by Ghosn.
Ghosn led Nissan for two decades, saving the Yokohamabased automaker from near bankruptcy. — AP