Ghosn said it was "natural" that Japanese would be unconvinced by remarks he made in a wide-ranging news conference in Beirut on Wednesday, where he sought to defend himself against charges of financial misconduct that led him to flee.

Ghosn said comments by Japan's justice minister, who said allegations in his news conference were not backed up by any real evidence, were "ridiculous".

(Reporting by Eric Knecht; Editing by Toby Chopra)

Stocks treated in this article : Renault, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.