Following the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, Western media including The New York Times criticized Japan’s judicial system.
However, Japan’s criminal procedures operate under domestic law, and granting preferential treatment based on nationality would violate equality before the law.
This essay examines the gap between international criticism and Japan’s legal principles.

January 10, 2019
Therefore, I absolutely believe that special treatment simply because someone is a foreign national must never be allowed. If anything, this time it could even be stricter.

Regarding the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, The New York Times criticized Japan’s judicial system with the same frivolous contempt it displayed toward prewar Japan.
French media have done the same.
Other Western outlets appear similar.
Japan’s judicial system is in no position to be lectured by them.
Precisely because it is so democratic, interrogations take many times longer than in their countries.
What right do nations that tolerated anti-Japanese education in China and South Korea for seventy years after the war have to criticize Japan.
To understand the facts accurately, I asked a book-loving friend to purchase the latest issue of Shukan Bunshun.
First, from an article posted online by Fuji Television.

— Is it common to arrest someone so many times?

Desk Hiramatsu:
It is said there are other instances in which Mr. Ghosn treated Nissan as his personal property and misappropriated funds.
Beyond this special breach of trust charge, there may be further grounds for re-arrest.
A third re-arrest cannot be ruled out.

— Overseas critics say his detention is too long.

Desk Hiramatsu:
This is an arrest within Japan.
The investigation follows Japan’s legal system.
If we favored him because he is a foreigner, Japanese defendants would object.
Japanese and foreign nationals must be treated equally.
Even now, embassy officials visit him daily.
Personally, I feel he may already be receiving excessive consideration.
If detention were shortened, Japanese defendants would protest.
Therefore, special treatment simply for being a foreign national must not be allowed.
If anything, stricter measures could be justified this time.

According to Shukan Bunshun,
Even inside the detention center Mr. Ghosn received VIP treatment.
He was moved from a small solitary cell to a larger room with a bed.
Even during the New Year period, lawyer visits were exceptionally permitted.