Japan moves to tighten immigration rules after ex-Nissan chief 's escape

TOKYO－Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan is "unjustifiable" and he is thought to have left the country using "illegal methods", Japanese Justice Minister Masako Mori said on Sunday, in the first official public comments on the case.

The 65-year-old former Nissan boss skipped bail and fled Japan where he was awaiting trial over multiple counts of financial misconduct that he denies.

Ghosn's escape from Japan has left authorities there scrambling to defend their justice system from fierce international criticism.

"Our country's criminal justice system sets out appropriate procedures to clarify the truth of cases and is administered appropriately, while guaranteeing basic individual human rights. The flight by a defendant on bail is unjustifiable," said Mori.

"It is clear that we do not have records of the defendant Ghosn departing Japan. It is believed that he used some wrongful methods to illegally leave the country. It is extremely regrettable that we have come to this situation," added the minister.

She confirmed Ghosn's bail had already been canceled and that an Interpol "red notice" had been issued.

In separate comments, the office of the public prosecutor deemed Ghosn's flight a "crime" and said the tycoon had "knowingly flouted" the country's judicial procedures.

"I have instructed the Immigration Services Agency to coordinate with related agencies to further tighten departure procedures," Mori said, promising a thorough investigation to uncover truth.

In their first remarks since Ghosn's dramatic flight just before the New Year, prosecutors said the escape vindicated their argument that he should have been kept in custody.

"The defendant Ghosn had abundant financial power and multiple foreign bases. It was easy for him to flee," the statement said.

He had "significant influence" inside Japan and globally, and there was a "realistic danger" he would destroy evidence related to the case, they added.

Ghosn twice won bail by persuading the court he was not a flight risk－decisions seen as controversial at the time.

Prosecutors argue that the lengthy detention is required to prove guilt beyond doubt and they are unwilling to charge a suspect if their case is not iron-clad.

"Therefore it was necessary and unavoidable to detain the defendant Ghosn in order to continue fair and appropriate criminal proceedings," they said.

Agencies