Ex-Nissan Chief Ghosn Case Shines Harsh Light on Japan’s ‘Hostage Justice’

Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn leaves his lawyers' offices after he was released earlier in the day from a detention centre after posting bail in Tokyo on March 6, 2019. - Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn left his Tokyo detention centre on March 6 after more than 100 days in custody, following a shock court decision granting him bail of one billion yen ($9 million). (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images

TOKYO—The high-profile case of ex-Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has shone a light in Japan on what critics call “hostage justice”, in which suspects can be held for months after arrest, but any reforms will likely be incremental and slow.

Ghosn, a former titan of the global auto industry, who has French, Brazilian, and Lebanese citizenship, was released on bail of 1 billion yen ($9 million) on March 6 after being held for more than 100 days following his Nov. 19 arrest by prosecutors on suspicion of under-reporting his compensation.