Tokyo, September 2025 — Takeshi Niinami, CEO and Chairman of Japanese beverage giant Suntory Holdings, has resigned following an investigation into his purchase of a cannabidiol (CBD) supplement. Niinami has stated that he believed the product was legal and intended to use it to help with jet lag.
The supplement, sent from the United States, was intercepted by authorities before he could receive it. Japanese law prohibits the possession or importation of substances containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, even if the recipient is unaware of its presence. Niinami expressed regret over the situation, apologizing for the incident and emphasizing that there was no intent to break the law.
Suntory President Nobuhiro Torii confirmed Niinami’s resignation, citing governance and accountability concerns. Niinami, 66, is credited with leading Suntory’s global expansion, including the $16 billion acquisition of Beam Inc., which brought international brands such as Jim Beam under the company’s portfolio. A successor has not yet been named.
The resignation highlights Japan’s strict approach to drug-related offenses and reflects the country’s broader corporate culture, where executives often step down to maintain public trust following incidents that attract legal or ethical scrutiny. Niinami also holds a leadership position in Keizai Doyukai, one of Japan’s prominent business lobby groups, and his departure is expected to have implications for both Suntory and the wider business community.
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