Carlos Ghosn, Former Nissan-Renault Chairman, Escapes Japan Hiding in Instrument Case

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Carlos Ghosn (65), former chairman of Nissan-Renault Alliance, who was under house arrest on charges including underreporting income and embezzlement of company funds, is reported to have escaped Japan by hiding inside a musical instrument case.

According to major foreign media on the 1st, former chairman Ghosn disappeared from Japan ahead of the trial scheduled to begin in April and appeared at Beirut Airport, the capital of Lebanon, at around 6:30 a.m. on the 31st of last month.

He was released on bail set at 1.5 billion yen (approximately 15 billion KRW) with the condition that any trip longer than three days requires court approval. Leaving Japan was prohibited. Surveillance cameras were installed at the entrance of Ghosn’s residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

Japanese judicial authorities have confirmed Ghosn’s departure and are investigating his escape route. The most plausible theory so far is that he hid inside a musical instrument case to leave his Tokyo home.

Recently, a Christmas party was held at Ghosn’s residence. It is speculated that private security personnel disguised as a band entered during the party, and when leaving, Ghosn hid inside a musical instrument case.

After leaving his residence, Ghosn is believed to have flown from Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, to Istanbul, Turkey, a transit point, on a private jet. The Kansai Airport office confirmed that a private jet departed for Istanbul on the night of the 29th of last month. Even when departing by private jet, exit procedures must be followed, but the fact that Ghosn was able to leave suggests possible loopholes in immigration control. Ghosn spent his childhood in Lebanon.

Locally in Japan, it is considered unlikely that the Lebanese government will comply with Japan’s request for Ghosn’s extradition. Lebanese authorities stated that Ghosn entered Lebanon legally and that no legal action will be taken.