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Suntory Holdings President Nobuhiro Torii, a member of the
company’s founding family, held a news conference Tuesday to
announce Niinami had resigned. Torii declined to give many
details, saying the case was still under investigation. Police
in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, confirmed Niinami was being
investigated in a possible drug case without giving further
details.
Niinami said Wednesday the case involved a health supplement he
called “a CBD supplement” that was made in the U.S. and
recommended by a friend who sent it to him by mail. CBD stands
for “cannabidiol” and contains a component of marijuana.
Niinami assumed the supplement was “legal 100%” and he wanted to
try the product, which was cheaper than versions sold in Japan,
to help relieve jet lag from overseas trips. He was traveling
when the package arrived and he did not receive it, he said.
“I want to apologize to society,” Niinami, 66, said after bowing
deeply. He noted Suntory makes supplements in addition to
whisky, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, so his actions showed
carelessness.
Niinami is credited with guiding strong growth at Suntory,
founded in 1899, including its overseas expansion such as the
acquisition of Beam Inc. for $16 billion a decade ago. That deal
included iconic brands such as Jim Beam Bourbon, Sauza Tequila
and Canadian Club Whisky and helped make Suntory a well-known
alcoholic brand in the U.S.
Niinami’s successor at Suntory has not yet been named. Japan has
a culture of shame and group accountability and it is common for
people who cause embarrassment to give up their posts.
Niinami also has held a leadership position at Keizai Doyukai,
or the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, a high-profile
business lobby. He made his comments Wednesday at the Keizai
Doyukai office in Tokyo.
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