The text is a transcript of a documentary about the Japanese prison system and its harsh conditions. It focuses on the cases of Carlos Ghosn, a former CEO who was arrested and detained for financial misconduct, Thomas, a French expatriate who experienced police custody for petty theft, and Iwao Hakamada, a former boxer who spent 47 years in prison for a murder he may not have committed. The documentary shows how the prisoners are subjected to strict rules, isolation, mental torture, and uncertainty about their fate. It also interviews some of their relatives, lawyers, and activists who try to help them and criticize the system. The documentary aims to expose the human rights violations and the lack of compassion in the Japanese justice system.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Carlos Ghosn was arrested on November 19, 2018, for allegedly minimizing his salaries to the Japanese stock market authorities.
2. He was detained for 130 days in a penitentiary in Tokyo, where he was interrogated almost daily without a lawyer and subjected to harsh conditions such as cold, light, and isolation.
3. His wife, Carole Ghosn, was not allowed to see or communicate with him for more than three months and criticized the Japanese justice system as unfair and inhumane.
4. The Tokyo court granted him bail under strict rules, such as confiscating his passport, filtering his communications, and monitoring his movements.
5. The Japanese prison system is based on strict rules, obedience, and punishment, and has a conviction rate of 99%.
6. Thomas, a French expatriate, spent 30 days in police custody for theft and experienced mental torture, such as constant surveillance, sleep deprivation, and leash.
7. Iwao Hakamada, a former boxer, spent 47 years in prison for a quadruple murder that he may not have committed and lost his mind due to the fear of execution and the lack of human contact.
8. Yamaguchi prison is a model penitentiary that allows prisoners to have private cells, western-style beds, and various programs, but still imposes military discipline and silence.
9. Isadori, a former inmate of Yamaguchi prison, said that the prison rules were very annoying and meaningless, such as walking with straight arms and fingers or sitting in a fixed position.
10. Remi Nakano, a former prisoner who runs a night bar for ex-convicts, said that kindness or altruism is not allowed in prison and that prisoners have to give up some of their fundamental rights.