Suntory Group CEO and chair Takeshi Niinami has resigned after a police investigation into his purchase of a supplement that may have been illegal.
Niinami, who joined the Japanese alcohol and soft drinks supplier from convenience store chain Lawson in 2014, informed Suntory he was the subject of a police investigation on 22 August.
In subsequent discussions, he told the company he had purchased a supplement under the impression it was legal, a statement from Suntory said. Reports in local press in Tokyo said police were if investigating supplements sent to Niinami’s home may have contained a cannabis component.
“For the top executive management of Suntory Group, strict compliance with laws and regulations is fundamental, and exercising appropriate caution in purchasing supplements is an indispensable quality,” Suntory said. “Therefore, without waiting for the outcome of the investigation, the company determined that Takeshi Niinami’s actions, which demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding supplements, rendered him unable to continue.
“Following discussions with Takeshi Niinami, he offered his resignation of his position due to his own reasons, which the company accepted, effective 1 September.”
Niinami is one of Japan’s best-known businessmen, having represented the country at Davos and other international events, as well as previously serving as an economic advisor to several Japanese prime ministers. He was the first head of Suntory from outside its founding family.
Japan is renowned for its strict anti-drug laws, and possession can result in jail time.
Last year, Stefan Kaufmann, the German-born CEO of optical equipment company Olympus, was fired following an allegation he had purchased illegal drugs.
Suntory is one of the world’s biggest beverage companies, owning brands including Maker’s Mark whisky, Ribena, Lucozade and Orangina.
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