Photo/Illutration Takeshi Niinami, chairman of Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives), on June 20 in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Prominent businessman Takeshi Niinami maintained his innocence in a drug investigation but said he resigned as chairman and chief executive officer of beverage giant Suntory Holdings Ltd. for the good of the company.

“Ultimately, I thought the company wouldn’t be able to move forward unless I resigned,” Niinami said in an interview with The Asahi Shimbun on Sept. 2.

However, he said he would remain chairman of Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives).

“I have no plans to step down from that position right now,” he said.

Niinami, 66, stepped down at Suntory Holdings after Fukuoka prefectural police on Aug. 22 searched his home in Tokyo on suspicion that a supplement he had bought violated the Narcotics Control Law.

“I had no idea the supplement was illegal,” he said. “I am innocent.”

According to investigative sources, police suspected that Niinami had imported the supplement containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis, from the United States.

However, no illegal substances were found during the search, and Niinami’s urine test came back negative for narcotics.

Sources said customs officials flagged the imported supplement and, upon analysis, found it contained THC above legal limits.

Police believe the product was intended to be delivered to Niinami from a woman in the United States via her male relative in Fukuoka Prefecture.

That relative was arrested in August on suspicion of violating import restrictions under the Narcotics Control Law.

Niinami told The Asahi Shimbun that he believed the supplement was cannabidiol (CBD), another cannabis derivative that does not contain THC and is not regulated as illegal in Japan.

Regarding the purchase process of the supplement, Niinami explained, “I bought it in the U.S., entrusted it to an acquaintance, and had it shipped to Japan.”

He added: “I understood it was not illegal and that there was no issue bringing it into Japan. I purchased it believing it to be unproblematic.”

However, Niinami acknowledged that the Suntory Group sells its own line of supplements.

“Having police investigate (me) is disgraceful for a company involved in supplement sales,” he said. “Business leaders must be accountable for outcomes, and that must be taken seriously.”

He added, “I am sorry for the trouble this has caused.”

As chairman of Keizai Doyukai, Niinami is scheduled to hold a news conference on the afternoon of Sept. 3.

Although he said he has no plans to step down from the top post at the prominent business organization, it is customary for the association’s chair to be a company leader.

There is speculation that Niinami could eventually be forced to resign from this post as well.

CBD is derived from cannabis but is not considered harmful.

According to a 2022 report from the health ministry’s subcommittee on cannabis, supplements and foods containing CBD have been advertised overseas as producing a relaxing effect. These products have rapidly entered markets in Europe and the United States.

They are also sold in Japan.

On the other hand, THC can cause hallucinations, dependency and health risks.

The ministry said CBD and THC share similar properties, such as being easily soluble in oils. Therefore, if people try to extract CBD from cannabis, trace amounts of THC may remain in the process.

In Japan, products containing THC exceeding the specified residue limit are illegal, the ministry said.

 

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