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Kae Inoue
For Kae Inoue's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 8, 2020
The Great Escape: How Carlos Ghosn became the world's most famous fugitive
On Christmas Eve, Carlos Ghosn walked into his lawyers' modest office in central Tokyo to speak to his wife, Carole, for only the second time since April. During his long odyssey through the Japanese legal system — several arrests, more than 100 days in solitary confinement, seemingly endless interrogations, and, after his release on bail, intrusive 24-hour surveillance — Ghosn had been forced to accept many humiliations. But few demoralized the ousted leader of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA as much as having to seek court permission even to call his spouse, who prosecutors viewed as a potential co-conspirator in some of the wide range of financial crimes with which he's been charged.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 27, 2019
Carlos Ghosn's wife wants him to go on trial in France, says he won't get a fair hearing in Japan
A year after the dramatic arrest of Carlos Ghosn, his wife, Carole, said the fallen auto titan should face trial in France because he won't be given a fair hearing in Tokyo.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 19, 2019
Carlos Ghosn's strategy: Convince court he's the victim of a conspiracy
A year after his arrest, Carlos Ghosn's strategy to exonerate himself from allegations of fraud and financial wrongdoing is becoming clearer: It's all a conspiracy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 9, 2019
Nissan power struggle ends in uneasy compromise with three contenders taking top roles
The carmaker's directors tapped Makoto Uchida, head of its China joint venture, as CEO, to work alongside new COO Ashwani Gupta and Jun Seki, the new deputy COO.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 7, 2019
Ghosn whistleblower Hari Nada reportedly under pressure to leave Nissan
The push to oust the Malaysian-born lawyer has the support of Renault.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Sep 22, 2019
Toyota tests car covered in solar panels to make charging stations redundant
Put together the best solar panels money can buy, superefficient batteries and decades of carmaking know-how and, theoretically, a vehicle might run forever.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 15, 2019
How Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa went from defiant to fired in 24 hours
Hiroto Saikawa's tone bordered on defiant on Sept. 8 when discussing his future as chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co. He accepted responsibility for the Carlos Ghosn scandals and said he'd resign after a successor was found, but he wasn't taking the fall for a burgeoning controversy over his pay.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 6, 2019
Nissan overpaid Carlos Ghosn whistleblower Hari Nada along with CEO Hiroto Saikawa
Nissan Motor Co. overpaid other executives in addition to its chief executive officer, according to people with knowledge of the matter, among them Senior Vice President Hari Nada, a key figure in the downfall of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2019
Japanese government played hidden role in breakdown of Fiat-Renault deal
Concerned that a merger could harm Nissan Motor Co., the Japanese government played a role in the breakdown of talks between Renault SA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 19, 2019
Carlos Ghosn readies trial counterpunch with new legal dream team
Can Carlos Ghosn beat the rap?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 18, 2019
In shadow of Ghosn saga, Nissan may scrap chairman role to prevent concentration of power, director says
Two months after the arrest of its chairman stunned Nissan Motor Co. and the entire global automotive industry, the carmaker is weighing abolishing the role altogether as it steps up reforms to rebuild its governance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 8, 2019
Nissan's Saudi partner details lobbying work, echoing Carlos Ghosn's testimony
The partner said his firm helped Nissan resolve a dispute and pave the way for a joint venture in justifying $14.7 million in payments under scrutiny by prosecutors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Nov 27, 2018
The big winner from Carlos Ghosn's arrest? His protege at Nissan
Long before the downfall of his mentor Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Hiroto Saikawa had pushed to win more power for the Japanese carmaker in its strained alliance with Renault SA. Now he has a chance to do just that.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 4, 2018
Moms continue to face hurdles returning to work as Abe wavers on day care and women's empowerment goals
Two years ago, an online rant about the lack of day care in Japan went viral on social media and seemingly started a movement, prompting working mothers to stage demonstrations in which they demanded the government take them seriously and offer more child care.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 27, 2018
Plowing millions into Uber, Toyota prepares for a future with fewer privately owned cars
Toyota Motor Corp., Asia's biggest carmaker, is preparing for a potential future where people don't buy cars.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 26, 2018
Carlos Ghosn vows to stay as Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance nears a crossroads
Carlos Ghosn, who built the three-way union of Renault, Nissan. and Mitsubishi Motors, said overseeing the group is a job he isn't looking to relinquish.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 11, 2018
Despite diversity drive, Japan's carmakers struggle to hire women engineers
Facing the worst labor shortage in decades, Japan's carmakers have seen the light: hire more women.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 27, 2017
Nissan has conducted faulty quality checks since 1979: source
Nissan Motor Co. had been conducting its current inspection process for vehicles sold in Japan—deemed faulty by the government last month — since at least 1979, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 28, 2009
Carmakers chase female buyers
More than 300 young women, sporting curly chestnut brown-dyed hair, heavy makeup and manicured nails crowded into a Toyota showroom, peering at a Prius painted candy-apple red and decorated with rhinestones and heart-shaped pink stickers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2009
Prius hot, but at other models' expense?
Toyota Motor Corp.'s new Prius hybrid won more than 80,000 orders even before going on sale, prompting departing President Katsuaki Watanabe to call it the carmaker's "savior." Investors don't share his faith.

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