Top Japanese businessman abruptly resigns over suspected drug use

(Dan Tri) - CEO of Suntory Holdings Takeshi Niinami, one of Japan's leading businessmen, has submitted his resignation after police investigated his purchase of dietary supplements that may contain marijuana.

Japanese beverage giant Suntory Holdings has confirmed that Takeshi Niinami has resigned as CEO, amid police investigations into allegations that he purchased dietary supplements that may contain THC, a cannabis compound that is strictly banned in Japan.

Suntory Holdings said Mr. Niinami submitted his resignation as CEO on September 1, and revealed that police had begun investigating the allegations on August 22 .

The CEO explained that he bought the supplements because he thought they were legal. "I had no idea they were illegal. I am innocent," Mr. Niinami told the press.

However, the company judged his actions as a lack of awareness of the management of dietary supplements. After discussions with the company's leadership, Mr. Niinami submitted his resignation for personal reasons.

The chairman of Suntory Holdings has apologized to the public for the incident and stressed that Suntory's senior managers must absolutely not violate the law and must be cautious in purchasing dietary supplements.

Suntory CEO resigns due to investigation for using food supplements containing banned substances (Photo: Reuters).

Earlier, Tokyo Shimbun reported that Fukuoka prefectural police are investigating the possibility that dietary supplements containing cannabis were sent to Mr. Niinami's home.

The product is suspected of containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, which is banned in Japan. Another compound from the marijuana plant, CBD, is legally sold in the country.

The police have not yet made a final conclusion and there is no evidence that he is storing or using illegal drugs.

During his more than a decade of leadership, Mr. Niinami has strengthened and expanded the company's international business. He also serves as a member of the Japanese government's Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy. Since 2023, he has served as Chairman of the Japan Business Federation.

The resignation of one of Japan's top business leaders amid a police investigation has sent shockwaves through the business world, with Suntory calling the incident "very serious from a governance perspective."

Japan is known for its strict drug laws. In the past, the CEO of Olympus and a Toyota executive have been in trouble with the law for drug-related crimes.

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