Suntory Chairman Takeshi Niinami Resigns Amid Police Investigation
Over Health Supplement Containing Cannabis Ingredients
Takeshi Niinami, 66, chairman of Suntory Holdings and a prominent figure in Japanese business circles known as a "star executive," has abruptly resigned while under police investigation for possessing supplements containing narcotic substances.
According to Yonhap News Agency on September 2, Suntory held an emergency press conference and announced that Chairman Niinami resigned effective September 1. His letter of resignation was accepted at a board meeting held on the same day.
On September 2, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan, Nobuhiro Tori, president of Suntory Holdings, and Kenji Yamada, executive director, held a press conference to apologize following the resignation of Chairman Takeshi Niinami due to marijuana law violation charges. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Chairman Niinami is suspected of having received a health supplement containing cannabis ingredients (THC) from an acquaintance overseas.
Suntory stated that Chairman Niinami reported to the company that he was under police investigation due to a health supplement received from an acquaintance abroad, and that he expressed his intention to resign for personal reasons.
According to local Japanese media reports, the Fukuoka Prefectural Police searched Chairman Niinami's residence in Tokyo on August 22 on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act (importation). Authorities had received information that a package sent from overseas contained a supplement with cannabis ingredients.
Takeshi Ninami, president of Suntory Holdings, a Japanese brewing and distilling company group, is speaking to reporters at a press conference held in Tokyo. Photo by Yonhap News
Nobuhiro Tori, president of Suntory, stated, "Chairman Niinami resigned last night," and added, "We sincerely apologize for the concern this has caused." The company said, "As the head of the Suntory Group, Chairman Niinami should have exercised greater caution when purchasing supplements. We understand that this incident may draw various criticisms from consumers and could impact our business performance, but we will work together as one company to restore trust."
Meanwhile, Chairman Niinami began his career at Mitsubishi Corporation, a major general trading company, and served as CEO of Lawson, one of Japan's leading convenience store chains, starting in 2002. In 2014, he became president of Suntory Holdings, becoming the first non-family member to lead the company. In 2023, he was also appointed as the head of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, one of Japan's three major economic organizations.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
