Ghosn to ‘vigorously’ defend himself in Japanese court: son

Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn will “vigorously” defend himself in a Japanese court this week after refusing to sign a confession in return for being released from custody, his son said. The auto tycoon who has been held since his shock arrest in November on allegations of financial misconduct is due to appear in a Japanese court on Tuesday to hear the reasons for his detention.

He will give his version of events for the first time, his son Anthony told the French weekly newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD). The father-of-four has gone from heading a powerful international auto alliance to languishing in a Tokyo detention centre, where his stay has been repeatedly extended. Anthony told the JDD that his father would be released if he signed a confession. He can “tell the prosecutor that he is contesting the charges or instead he could confess and be released.

For seven weeks his decision has been quite clear,” he said. “The paradox is that the confession he has been asked to sign is written only in Japanese,” adding that his father does not understand it. He added that the defence do not yet have a complete file. Authorities are pursuing three separate lines of enquiry against the 64-year-old Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian executive, involving alleged financial wrongdoing during his tenure as Nissan chief.

“He is ready to defend himself vigorously and is very focused on the goal of responding to the accusations against him. He is particularly calm,” said Anthony, who has not spoken directly with his father.