Japan to ask Lebanon to help probe Ghosn case

Japan plans to express regret to Leban that former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn escaped Japan to Leban and will ask Lebanese to help investigate case, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Tuesday.

Japanese ambassor to Leban is expected to hold a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun later on Tuesday, according to Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Suga said Japan has been communicating with Leban, as well as or related foreign governments, to help Japan to look into sudden flight by Ghosn from Japan where he was on bail awaiting for trial on financial misconduct allegations.

Leban has said he entered legally with a French passport on December 30. He has t been seen since, but has promised to speak to reporters on Wednesday.

Suga did t say wher Japan would seek Leban's help to extrite Ghosn.

Japan's Justice Minister Masako Mori repeatedly stressed that Japan would strengn border checks and review bail conditions after incident.

Ghosn's bail has been revoked and Interpol has issued a wanted tice. Japan does t have an extrition treaty with Leban, but Japanese government left open possibility that Japan could seek Ghosn's return.

But such a return so far appears unlikely and Japan's options are limited.