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lite.cnn.com - on gopher - inofficial
ARTICLE VIEW:
CEO of Japanese drinks giant Suntory resigns following drug probe
From CNN’s Hanako Montgomery, Junko Ogura and Yumi Asada
Updated:
5:20 AM EDT, Wed September 3, 2025
Source: CNN
Suntory Holdings chairman and CEO Takeshi Niinami has resigned
following allegations he purchased supplements containing illegal
substances, the company confirmed Tuesday.
Niinami, 66, one of Japan’s most prominent and outspoken business
leaders, said he believed the supplements he bought were legal. He has
often served as the face of corporate Japan and frequently appeared on
CNN.
Investigators had previously searched Niinami’s Tokyo home on
suspicion he had received products containing cannabis-derived
substances from an acquaintance overseas, according to public
broadcaster NHK, citing investigative officials.
Police believe the items may have contained THC and are examining
whether Niinami knew the substance is strictly regulated in Japan.
However in a press conference on Wednesday, Niinami said he had
purchased over-the-counter CBD supplements in the US for his health.
“I checked the ingredients and confirmed they were legal in Japan,”
he told reporters.
The term CBD stands for cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in
marijuana and hemp. Unlike marijuana, CBD only has, or THC. The THC is
the psychoactive part of marijuana that makes people feel high.
Niinami said a separate batch of supplements was sent to him by his
advisor via his advisor’s brother, but that he didn’t request them
and doesn’t know what they contained. The police investigation
started soon after.
“I myself have no recollection of taking any action that violated
laws or regulations. However, I decided to resign voluntarily to avoid
causing further trouble, in accordance with the company’s
judgment,” Niinami added.
Niinami had informed colleagues on August 22 that he was under police
investigation, Suntory President Nobuhiro Torii and Vice President
Kenji Yamada told a press conference on Tuesday. On September 1,
Niinami offered to step down, citing personal reasons. The company
accepted his resignation effective that same day.
Niinami had told the company that the investigation concerned
supplements he had purchased under the assumption they were legal,
according to Torii.
CNN has reached out to Suntory and the Fukuoka Prefectural Police for
comment.
Suntory is one of Japan’s most recognizable drinks brands, selling
beer, whisky, sports and energy drinks. In Sofia Coppolla’s 2003 film
Oscar-nominated Bill Murray played an over-the-hill US actor who
befriends a lonely young woman during a trip to Tokyo to promote the
company’s whisky.
The possession, sale, or import of THC-containing substances is
strictly prohibited in Japan. Possession alone can carry a prison
sentence of up to seven years, while trafficking or smuggling brings
even harsher penalties. The country makes no distinction between the
recreational and medical use of cannabis.
Niinami has long been a high-profile figure in business and politics,
serving as an economic adviser to several Japanese prime ministers.
Before joining Suntory, he was chief executive of convenience store
chain Lawson, becoming the first outsider to lead the family-founded
beverage giant.
In December, Suntory promoted Torii to president, returning control of
the Japanese whisky giant to its founding family. Niinami remained in
his roles as chairman and CEO.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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