Why This Topic Landed in Japan

Ghosn's escape is etched in public memory as a case that bruised the credibility of Japan's justice system, so any "return of the fugitive" easily provokes anger. At the same time, Nissan is a symbol of domestic employment, so the idea of one of its plants being repurposed for U.S. military needs is a topic that people across the spectrum — those focused on saving jobs, on countering China, or on opposing militarization — could all weigh in on.

Key Reaction Themes

  • Loathing for Ghosn and a focus on justice — Zero voices welcoming a return; instead, interest in "somehow getting him handed over to Japan to be re-arrested."
  • Criticism of management — Anger at current executives taking high pay while pushing layoffs, and resignation that Nissan is "finished."
  • The plant's defense conversion — A pragmatic national-security take that "it beats being bought by China" coexisting with a cynical "protest groups will mobilize" view.

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Backlash to Ghosn's "CEO return" remarks

Reactions to the struggling Nissan and ex-chairman Ghosn signaling appetite to lead its rebuild.

Comments:

  • "Is he scheming to normalize illegal employment by hiring a criminal? Far too brazen."
  • "From Ghosn's view there must still be tasty juice left to squeeze — though if he enters the country he'll be eating prison food."
  • "Can't we somehow get him back to Japan and re-arrest him?"
  • "Whose fault do you think this even is?!"
  • "Nissan's done for."
  • "Nissan's been blessed with no good executives since the bubble era. They're even losing to Hyundai — why not merge with Honda?"
  • "Even if he returns he'll just do the same thing anyway."
  • "The whole system of loads of high-paid foreign executives was built by Ghosn in the first place."
  • "Honda: 'No thank you‼️'"

The report that the Oppama plant could become a U.S. military drone factory

Reactions to the report that the closing Oppama plant could become a U.S. defense startup's military drone site.

Sources: Yahoo! news, 2ch

Comments:

  • "That's a munitions plant, isn't it."
  • "So the wartime boom has arrived?"
  • "Report that protest groups are starting to get ready."
  • "Giving the U.S. military a motive to defend us is a good policy — far better than being bought by China."
  • "Good that the workers found their next employers — while Nissan's executives get laid off."
  • "Both U.S. bases and the SDF are nearby, so why not."
  • "Putting the site to good use, that's a good thing."
  • "This is basically a colony at this point..."
  • "Well, at least it's not a Chinese drone factory."
  • "A Nissan-made drone sounds scary — it'd probably crash into its own allies."