Ghosn Hires New Captain for His Legal Defense Team

Carlos Ghosn says he has hired a new lawyer to lead the trial phase of his defense after being arrested in Japan two months ago and charged with financial wrongdoing as Chairman of Nissan Motor Co.

Ghosn’s statement identifies his new lead attorney as “Hironaka.” Japanese media say the reference is to Junichiro Hironaka, who has successfully defended several high-profile cases in Japan. Media reports say he and the defense team will meet with prosecutors and the judge today in a pretrial conference.

Ghosn’s previous lead lawyer, Motonari Otsuru, told the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday that he will withdraw, according to his law firm San Law.

In a statement, Ghosn praised Otsuru’s work during his “interrogation phase.” He reiterates his determination to both prove his innocence and reveal the circumstances that “led to my unjust detention.”