Supplements are said to contain THC, a psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, which is illegal in Japan.
Released on September 2, 2025
Takeshi Niinami, CEO of Suntory Holdings, one of Japan’s most well-known business leaders, has resigned from the beverage group following a police investigation into the purchase of supplements that may have violated the country’s strict drug laws.
Ninami, who served as advisers to several Japanese prime ministers and often faced Japanese companies at Davos and other international events, told Suntory that she bought the supplement because she believed it was legal, the company said Tuesday.
“I didn’t know it was an illegal supplement. I’m innocent,” he told the Asahi Shimbun in a report released Tuesday evening. He added that if he did not resign, the company felt it would not be able to unite. Reuters were unable to reach Ninami immediately.
Suntory president Nobuhiro Torii, the great grandson of the company’s founder Shinjiro Torii, spoke at a press conference and said he is now fully in charge of the company.
“He was a bold and decisive leader who got things done and I really respected him,” Torii said of Ninami. “In that respect and I told him this yesterday. It’s a real shame that we couldn’t continue as a team.”
A fluent English speaker, Niinami is the chairman of the influential Keizai Doyukai Business Lobby. He said Asahi’s report that he has no intention of resigning from the role. Keizai Doyukai officials were not immediately able to comment.
He is scheduled to hold a regular business lobby press conference on Wednesday afternoon, where he is expected to explain the details behind his resignation.
Known for being outspoken, Niinami frequently expressed her opinions on how Japan’s economy should be managed and how central banks should act.
The investigation continues
Tokyo Shinbun reported that Fukuoka prefecture police are investigating whether supplements containing cannabis ingredients have been sent to Ninami’s home.
Other Japanese media say the supplement contains THC, a psychoactive component of cannabis, which is illegal in Japan. However, CBD, a compound separate from cannabis plants, is legal, and products containing it are available in Japan.
Suntory, which makes soft drinks such as whiskey, beer and Orangina branded soda, told the company on August 22 that he was subject to a police investigation. He resigned on September 1st.
Niinami, 66, greatly expanded Suntory’s revenue and profits, joined Drinks Maker in 2014 and joined the president shortly after purchasing the US Spirits Company Beam for $16 billion, including debt.
According to Tokyo’s Shinbun, police questioned Ninami and searched her home in Tokyo, but no illegal possession or use of drugs has been confirmed. Fukuoka police officers were unable to immediately comment on the report.
A graduate of Harvard Business School, Niinami was previously the chief executive of Lawson, a convenience store operator. He then became the boss of Suntory, the first company manager, from outside the founding family.
Japan has strict drug laws. Late last year, Japanese endoscope manufacturer Olympus Corporation fired German national CEO Stefan Kaufmann after claiming it had purchased illegal drugs.
In 2015, police arrested Julie Hamp, a US citizen, Toyota Motor Executive, on suspicion of illegally importing the painkiller oxycodone into the country. She was later released.
