The former chairman of Nissan Motor Co., Carlos Ghosn, left on Wednesday the Tokyo Detention Center after posting 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail.
The Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian tycoon left the facility in disguise, wearing a surgical mask, glasses, a hat and a construction worker's outfit. Ringed by security guards, he was driven away in a silver van and did not speak to the gaggle of reporters standing watch.
Japanese TV networks followed the van's journey from the detention center in the eastern outskirts of Tokyo toward downtown. Ten motorcycles trailed the van in formation as it passed largely unnoticed through city streets.
Ghosn, the former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance was arrested on Nov. 19. He is charged with falsifying financial reports and with breach of trust.
The Tokyo District Court confirmed the 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail was posted earlier in the day, after a judge rejected an appeal from prosecutors requesting his continued detention. That cleared the way for Ghosn to leave the facility after more than 100 days of detention.
Ghosn's wife Carole Ghosn and one of his daughters were seen leaving the detention center earlier in the day.
He faces three charges of financial misconduct over allegations he under-reported his compensation and tried to shift losses to Nissan's books.
Before his release, Ghosn, who turns 65 on Saturday, issued a statement reasserting his innocence.
"I am innocent and totally committed to vigorously defending myself in a fair trial against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations," he said.
A date for his trial has not yet been set.
