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Japan minister launches counterattack after Ghosn blasts justice system

TOKYO — Japan's justice minister launched a rare and forceful public takedown of auto executive-turned-fugitive Carlos Ghosn after he blasted the country's legal system as allowing him "zero chance" of a fair trial as he sought to justify his escape to Beirut. After his dramatic flight to Lebanon last month, Ghosn spoke in public for the first time on Wednesday, saying he had been treated "brutally" by Tokyo prosecutors. He said they questioned him for up to eight hours a day without a lawyer present and tried to extract a confession out of him. In an effort to undo Ghosn's attempt to sway public opinion in his favor, Justice Minister Masako Mori followed shortly with a statement, translated into English and French, and held a news conference after midnight and again around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning to defend Japan's justice system. "I decided to do this because defendant Ghosn was looking to justify his unlawful exit from Japan by propagating a false recognition of our justice system," she said at the second news conference. "I felt that we needed to respond immediately to broadcast a correct understanding to people around the world." Ghosn, the former chief of Nissan and Renault, fled Japan last month as he was awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting earnings, breach of trust, and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies. Mori said Ghosn's escape from his trial in itself "could constitute a crime" that would not be tolerated in any country. "My impression in listening to him was that there were few statements that were backed by any real evidence," she said. "If he wants to prove his innocence, he should face fair trial proceedings here," she added, stressing that the allegations against him concerned financial crimes in Japan. "That would be the mark of a first-class businessperson and good citizen." Mori blasted Ghosn for violating his bail by fleeing the country "without showing a passport and breaking international rules that everyone in the world follows." "It was a breach of faith that can't be explained to our children," she said. The spotlight on Japan's justice system comes as Mori is set to host in April the United Nations' Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held once every five years.

Auditor had questioned Nissan on payments in Ghosn scandal, source says

TOKYO — Nissan's auditor had repeatedly questioned transactions at the heart of allegations of financial misconduct by former chief Carlos Ghosn, but Nissan said they were proper, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday. Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC questioned Nissan's management several times, chiefly around 2013, about purchases of overseas luxury homes for Ghosn's personal use and of stock-appreciation rights that were conferred on him. But the Japanese automaker said the transactions and financial reporting were appropriate, the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The revelation shows Nissan and its auditor were discussing the transactions, in apparent contrast with Nissan's contention that the alleged misreporting of benefits for Ghosn was masterminded by Ghosn and a key lieutenant. A spokesman for EY ShinNihon, the Japanese affiliate of global accounting firm Ernst & Young, said he could not comment on specific cases. A Nissan spokesman declined to comment. Ghosn was arrested on Nov. 19 as he arrived in Japan. Prosecutors accuse him of falsifying Nissan's annual reports to understate by about half his total compensation of some 10 billion yen ($90 million) over several years. The high-profile former executive has denied the allegations, according to Japanese media. Ghosn remains in custody and is unable to speak publicly. He is represented by former prosecutor Motonari Otsuru, according to Japanese media. Otsuru's law firm declined to comment on Wednesday, and Otsuru has not responded to requests for comment. Nissan has largely pinned the blame on Ghosn and Greg Kelly, a former representative director who was arrested along with Ghosn on the same allegations. "As a result of the investigation, we are certain these two are the masterminds," CEO Hiroto Saikawa told a news conference on Nov. 19, referring to Ghosn and Kelly. He declined to say whether others at Nissan were involved in the alleged wrongdoing. An internal investigation is ongoing, and Nissan says it is cooperating with prosecutors. Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors have removed Ghosn as chairman in the wake of his arrest. The French member of the three-firm alliance, Renault, retains him as chairman and CEO.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport an even better value for 2021

Mitsubishi released pricing information for the 2021 Outlander Sport, its best-selling model in the United States. Redesigned for 2020, the crossover enters the new year with a cheaper base price thanks to a new trim. Pricing for the 2021 Outlander Sport starts at $22,090, including a mandatory $1,095 destination charge. For context, the 2020 model started at $23,690 once the same destination charge was added to the bottom line.  While the 2020 range started at the ES trim, the 2021 lineup begins with the S, which is only offered with front-wheel-drive. Every trim level gains an array of standard safety features for 2021, including forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Motorists who want rain-sensing wipers, LED fog lights, and automatic headlights will need to step up to the ES trim priced at $24,090 including destination. At the other end of the spectrum, the all-wheel-drive-only GT starts at $28,090. Mitsubishi gave buyers looking for something in between the bottom- and top-end trims an additional option by releasing a new trim called Limited Edition for 2021. Based on the ES trim, and priced at $25,090 when ordered with front-wheel-drive, it gains a black grille, black mirror caps, black 18-inch wheels, plus red accent stitching on the inside. It's limited in name only; don't expect to find a numbered plaque on the dashboard and a certificate of authenticity in the glovebox.  Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel-drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) come standard, and all-wheel-drive is available at an extra cost on most trim levels. Buyers who select the GT are rewarded with a 2.4-liter four rated at 168 horses and 167 pound-feet of twist. It's exclusively offered with all-wheel-drive, and it's also bolted to a CVT. According to the EPA, combined fuel economy checks in at 27 mpg for the 2.0, and 26 mpg for the 2.4. Mitsubishi stores across the nation will begin receiving the 2021 Outlander Sport in February. While it won't be joined by the i-MiEV, it's part of a broad model offensive that also includes the redesigned 2022 Eclipse Cross.