Suntory chief Takeshi Niinami resigns amid probe into suspected cannabis supplements
Tokyo police are investigating whether the drinks executive purchased products containing THC; company says his conduct fell short of leadership standards.
Takeshi Niinami, the head of Japanese drinks giant Suntory, has resigned after Tokyo police opened an investigation into whether he purchased supplements suspected of containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, the company said on Tuesday.
Niinami, 66, has denied any wrongdoing and told the firm he believed the supplements were legal, according to media reports. Police are probing whether his actions breached Japan’s strict cannabis laws, which prohibit possession and can carry criminal penalties.
Suntory, which owns brands including Ribena, Lucozade and Bowmore whisky, said in a statement that Nobuhiro Torii, the company’s president, had determined Niinami’s conduct “falls short of the qualities required” of a leader and accepted his resignation. The company did not say whether it would take any additional internal disciplinary action.
Tokyo media first reported the investigation on Tuesday. Authorities have not announced any charges and details of any evidence under review were not disclosed. Japan maintains some of the world’s strictest controls on cannabis and related compounds, and recent years have seen heightened scrutiny of imports and supplements that may contain prohibited substances.
Niinami was a prominent figure in Japan’s business community and had overseen Suntory’s expansion in domestic and international markets. The company did not provide a timetable for appointing a successor or say whether Niinami would retain any advisory roles while the probe continues.
Legal experts said investigators will likely seek to establish whether the products contained THC and whether Niinami knew of their contents. If prosecutors decide to pursue the matter, the case would move through Japan’s legal system, where possession of cannabis-related substances can result in arrests and prosecutions.
The development adds to a string of high-profile corporate governance and personal conduct matters affecting executives in Japan, where boards and shareholders have increasingly emphasized compliance and reputational risk. Suntory did not provide an immediate estimate of any operational or financial impact from the resignation.
Police and Suntory did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates are expected as authorities and the company disclose more information.