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Japanese beverage giant Suntory has announced that Takeshi Niinami, the company’s CEO, has resigned from his position amid a police investigation regarding his purchase of suspected illegal supplements.

Niinami – who served as Suntory’s chairman, chief executive officer and representative director – stepped down effective from 1 September 2025 following the matter, which Suntory called a ‘grave governance concern’.

In a statement published yesterday (2 September), Suntory said it had received a report from Niinami on 22 August confirming that an investigation was being conducted by the police regarding supplements allegedly purchased by him under the understanding that they were legal.

Suntory, which offers a range of supplements under its Health & Wellness business, emphasised that the supplements purchased were not Suntory products.

According to news outlet Tokyo Shimbun, the investigation surrounds supplements sent to Niinami’s home suspected to contain cannabis components. Tokyo Shimbun reported that Niinami confirmed he had purchased CBD supplements from the US upon an acquaintance’s recommendation, after suffering from jet lag due to overseas business trips.

CBD (cannabidiol) is an active ingredient found in cannabis, and is legal in Japan as well as many other regions including the EU and UK. It is commonly used in dietary supplements and functional food and beverage products, believed to offer potential benefits such as relaxation, mood support and pain relief. The psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, is illegal in Japan – though it is legal in some US states.

At a press conference in Tokyo as representative director of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, Niinami reportedly stated his innocence, commenting: “I neither possessed nor used the supplements, nor did I order their import into Japan. I believe I am innocent and have not broken any laws.”

In its statement, Suntory said that the determination of the supplements’ legality should be deferred to authorities – however, it stressed that 'strict compliance with laws and regulations is fundamental,' and that ‘exercising appropriate caution in purchasing supplements is an indispensable quality’.

Due to this, the company decided Niinami’s actions demonstrated a ‘lack of awareness’ regarding the supplements industry, rendering him unable to continue in his position.

Niinami told press at the briefing: “Although I am not aware of any violation of the law, I have decided to resign in accordance with the company's judgment and to avoid causing trouble to employees and customers”.

Suntory has not appointed a replacement for the CEO role, with president and representative director Nobuhiro Torii continuing to lead the global business.