TOKYO, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Suntory Holdings CEO and Chairman Takeshi Niinami has resigned following a police investigation into his purchase of a potentially illegal supplement, the company said on Tuesday.

Niinami, an outspoken business leader who has often served as the face of corporate Japan at Davos and other international events, told the company he purchased the supplement believing that it was legal, Suntory said in a statement.

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The Tokyo Shimbun daily reported earlier that police in Fukuoka prefecture have been conducting an investigation into whether supplements containing cannabis components had been sent to Niinami's home in connection with a man who was arrested in July.

Police questioned Niinami and searched his Tokyo home, although no illegal drug possession or use has been confirmed, the daily said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Niinami, a fluent English speaker, is chair of the powerful Keizai Doyukai business lobby and has served as economic adviser to several Japanese prime ministers.

A graduate of Harvard Business School, he was previously chief executive of convenience store operator Lawson before becoming the first head of Suntory from outside its founding family.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/suntory-says-ceo-niinami-resigns-after-buying-potentially-illegal-supplement-2025-09-02/