Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: The Japanese Minister of Justice Masako Mori denied on July 14 claims made by Carlos Ghosn that he was “forced to sign documents in Japanese language which he couldn’t understand,” emphasizing, that the former Nissan Motor Chief had a translator.

Replying to a question by Arab News Japan, Minister Mori also refuted Ghosn’s criticism of the Japanese justice system and stressed that human rights are respected and guaranteed in Japan. 

In an interview with Al Arabiya TV on July 11, Ghosn lashed out against the Japanese justice system. He claimed, among other things, that “his arrest was a political conspiracy” and that “he was not allowed to speak in a press conference.”

“After Carlos Ghosn fled Japan, I heard about some of his claims and insistances published in foreign news media. I would like to say, again, that the Japanese justice system guarantees human rights,” said Mori.

“In what Ghosn insists, however, there are several misunderstandings, such as — we did in fact arrange a translatator” for the sessions he had with the persecutors, the minister clarified, and added that “we would like to keep showing the correct and clear information.” 

“I have been repeatedly saying that we, along with other countries, must keep working on reviewing ‌all the laws depending on the situation regarding the human rights,” she said.

At the conference, the minister announced the establishment of the Judicial Affairs and Prosecution Revitalization Committee to make the justice system more trustworthy and transparent, with international understanding and in cooperation with related parites. 

The main goals of the new committee include boosting morale among prosecutors and improving the transperency of the judical administration, as well as increasing international understanding of Japanese criminal procedures.