Former Nissan chairman Ghosn, 64, has been in detention since his November 19 arrest on suspicion of under-declaring his income by some five billion yen ($44 million) between 2010 and 2015.

Authorities are also widely expected to re-arrest him later Monday over separate allegations that he also under-reported his income by a further four billion over the past three years.

Under Japanese law, suspects can be re-arrested several times for different allegations, allowing prosecutors to question them for prolonged periods — a system that has drawn criticism internationally.

Monday was the final day prosecutors can hold Ghosn and close aide Greg Kelly before either charging or re-arresting them, and a further arrest would allow them another 22 days of questioning.

In addition to charges against Ghosn, prosecutors also indicted Kelly and Nissan itself, according to local media, as the company submitted the official documents that under-reported the income.

Ghosn denies the charges and is in a “combative” frame of mind, according to sources at Renault, the company he still formally leads — even if the French car giant has appointed an interim chairman.

The Japanese firms in the three-way alliance with Renault — Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors — have both sacked the Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian as chairman.

– Lebanese phoenix –

The millionaire auto sector star, who attracted some criticism for a perceived lavish lifestyle, is now alone in a spartan cell in a Tokyo detention centre, in a tiny room measuring just three tatami mats — around five square metres.

He has reportedly told embassy visitors he is being well treated but has complained of the cold, with Monday’s temperature in the Japanese capital hovering around five degrees Celsius.

He spends his time reading books and news reports and is said to be unhappy about the rice-based food.

According to local news agency Kyodo, he has admitted signing documents to defer part of his salary until after retirement but said this amount did not need to be declared as it has not yet been definitively fixed.

A source close to the investigation has said Ghosn and Kelly allegedly put the system in place after a new law came in obliging the highest-paid members of the firm to declare their salary.

Ghosn is suspected of deferring part of his pay to avoid criticism from staff and shareholders that his salary was too generous.

Nissan is appealing to a court in Rio de Janeiro to block access by Ghosn’s representatives to a luxury apartment on Copacabana Beach

“We are closely watching if he is actually indicted and then found guilty,” said Satoru Takada, an analyst at TIW, a Tokyo-based research and consulting firm.

“If he is exempted from prosecution or found innocent, it is going to create huge confusion in Nissan’s management,” Takada told AFP.

It is unclear if Ghosn can be bailed before a potential trial.

In Japan, prosecutors and defendants begin a trial at a district court and can appeal to a high court and the Supreme Court. It may take several years before reaching a final judgement.

If found guilty, Ghosn could face a 10-year prison sentence.

The affair represents a staggering turnaround for a figure celebrated for saving Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy and rebuilding it as a money-making subsidiary of Renault.

Nissan has begun a process of choosing Ghosn’s successor, with the final decision expected on December 17.

His arrest has sparked incredulity at Renault, which owns 43 percent of Nissan and says it has not seen a detailed account of the charges against Ghosn.

It has also fuelled anger in Lebanon, with digital billboards around Beirut proclaiming “We are all Carlos Ghosn” under a picture of the magnate.

“A Lebanese phoenix will not be scorched by a Japanese sun,” Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk has declared.

Emperor Akihito will step down on April 30, 2019 – the first abdication in the Japanese imperial family in more than two centuries.

His eldest son and Masako’s husband Naruhito will ascend to the throne the next day.

“Even though I feel insecure about how helpful I will be when I think about the days ahead… I want to devote myself to the happiness of the people so I will make an effort to that end,” said the crown princess.

She gave birth to Princess Aiko in 2001 but continued to face pressure to produce a son as only male heirs can take the throne under Japanese law.

The pressure eased in 2006, however, when her sister-in-law gave birth to Prince Hisahito, now 12.

She has made few public appearance since 2003 and has struggled with adjustment disorder.

In her birthday statement, Masako revealed she was recuperating from a stress-induced illness ahead of the imperial succession.

“I am delighted at the fact that I can perform more duties than before as I have tried to improve my physical condition,” she said.

But her doctors warned in a separate statement that it is important for the crown princess to continue treatment as she remains vulnerable to fatigue, especially after a large ceremony or successive duties.

The former prime minister, was arrested around 11am at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters here, minutes after he arrived for a fresh round of questioning over the issue.

Najib was seen entering the MACC headquarters at around 10.42am on Monday (Dec 10).

MACC sources however said that he would be released if he can come up with money for bail.

On Nov 25, Auditor-General Tan Sri Madinah Mohamad said that parts of the 1MDB final audit report were removed. These sections mentioned the presence of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Lo.

She revealed that the directive to make the changes came from Tan Sri Shukry Salleh, who was then the principal private secretary to Najib when he was prime minister.

The changes to the 1MDB report were made on Feb 26, 2016 on grounds that it was a “sensitive issue”.

To date, apart from Najib, the MACC had questioned several people about the report tampering.

This includes former chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, in his capacity as a legal officer in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, former Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang, former chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa and the then 1MDB group president and chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy.

In this recent midweek afternoon interview, she’s come dressed as one of her favourite characters – the Crystal Maiden from the video game Dota 2.

With cape, hood and a powerful-looking staff, Saakira’s costume is definitely striking. This cosplayer has also managed to incorporate her hijab naturally into her outfit.

Saakira is one of the highlights at the inaugural Star Supa Comic event, which takes place at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 29 and 30.

“It’s not difficult (to wear a hijab and cosplay). In some ways, it’s just like wearing a wig. You just have to find a hijab with the same colour as the hair of the character you are cosplaying,” says Saakira, whose real name is Nurul Syakirah Samsol.

“If you want to be even more creative, you can even style your hijab,” she adds.

Hijab cosplaying is gradually growing in popularity these days, not just in Malaysia, but around the world.

Part of the appeal of cosplay (an abbreviation of “costume play”) after all, is coming up with clever and functional costumes. This has led to many skilled Muslim cosplayers not just incorporating their hijab into their cosplay, but also designing their own outfits.

‘It’s not difficult (to wear a hijab and cosplay). In some ways, it’s just like wearing a wig,’ says Saakira. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

“I don’t like to mix religion with my hobbies. But I believe that you can have fun, as long as you stick within the boundaries (of decency).

“That’s what I think, other people may have different opinions, but that’s up to them,” says Saakira, 24, who is currently studying multimedia design at a local university.

The Klang, Selangor-based cosplayer has been cosplaying for about five years. She was inspired and influenced by fellow Malaysian Capries Ryn, another hijab cosplayer, who started cosplaying in 2012.

Capries and Saakira are now the Malaysian representatives of Hijab Cosplay Gallery, a group for hijab cosplayers in Malaysia and Indonesia. The group has 100 members, who meet at various regional events, hang out or attend gatherings held by the society every year.

Saakira started her cosplay by dressing as “cute characters” such as Hatsune Miku, a Vocaloid singing personality. She is also a fan of the “sweet Lolita” style, a Japanese fashion subculture influenced by elaborate and elegant Victorian clothes.

Soon, she started getting noticed, to the point that she was invited to give interviews on local TV about her unique fashion style.

‘What’s most important about a costume is to make the character recognisable. In this case, even though my costume is a bit different because of the hijab, you can still tell who it is,’ says Saakira, dressed up as the Crystal Maiden (from Dota 2). Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

As time went on, however, Saakira started to experiment with various other characters, many of them from her favourite video games. She got into organising cosplay events, and started to join cosplay competitions, even winning prizes.

“When you first see me, you might think I don’t speak much. And in a way, that’s who I am in real life. But cosplay has helped me improve myself. It has given me the spirit to speak and perform. It’s taught me to be a leader and to learn new things,” she elaborates.

Saakira also makes many of her costumes herself.

“It is cheaper to do so than renting costumes. I picked up the basics from my mother, a tailor,” she reveals.

Saakira has since made 18 costumes, although she now keeps six.

Her Crystal Maiden outfit, she says, is one of the most challenging for her to make. The character appeals to her because of the pastel colours and modest dress sense.

“When making a costume, accuracy and quality are very important. But what’s most important about a costume is to make the character recognisable. For example, in this case, even though my costume is a bit different because of the hijab, you can still tell who it is,” says Saakira.

For Star Supa Comic, Nurul and her partner Aida, a full-time costume maker, will be presenting a costume creating workshop.

“Don’t be shy. If you really want to give it a try, don’t just watch. You have to go ahead and just do it,” she concludes with a smile.

Star Supa Comic will take place at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, KL on Dec 29 and 30. It is organised by i.Star Events (a subsidiary of Star Media Group) with event partner AniManGaki and media partners dimsum, 988 and Suria FM. For more info, call i.Star Events at 03-7967 1388 ext 1097 / 1505 / 1541 or visit: bit.ly/starsupacomic.