Japan on Sunday stated it would tighten immigration procedures after former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn fled the country while on bail, its first official response to a surprising escape that has transformed the executive into an international fugitive.
Officials have remained silent after Ghosn revealed on Tuesday that he had escaped to his childhood home of Lebanon to escape the ‘injustice system’ in Japan. All government offices and most businesses in Japan have been shut for the new year holidays as of Sunday.
The former Nissan and Renault chairman was arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 and has been charged with financial wrongdoing, an allegation he denies.
Justice Minister Masako Mori stated Ghosn’s “apparently illegal” departure was highly regrettable and added there was no record of him departing the country. She promised a thorough investigation and stated that officials had released an international notice for his arrest.
“I have instructed the Immigration Services Agency to coordinate with related agencies to further tighten departure procedures,” Mori said, adding that Ghosn’s skipping bail was unjustified and that the court had revoked his bail.
Separately, prosecutors released a statement defending Japan’s justice system, saying his departure overlooked the legal system and amounted to a crime.
It is not clear what Japan might do to get Ghosn back. It has extradition treaties only with the United States and South Korea.
Mori was set to brief reporters in Tokyo on Monday.
