Overview

• Suntory accepted Niinami’s resignation effective September 1 without waiting for the investigation’s outcome, saying his handling of the supplements showed insufficient caution for a top executive.
• Fukuoka police are examining whether products linked to an overseas acquaintance contained THC, with investigators searching Niinami’s Tokyo home in August in a probe tied to a July arrest.
• Niinami told reporters he broke no law, said he believed the CBD items were legal, and asserted he never took possession of the supplements in question.
• Media reports say a THC drug test on Niinami returned negative, though authorities have not announced any conclusions and the inquiry remains active.
• President Nobuhiro Torii said he will steer the company for now and no successor has been named, while Niinami remains chair of the Keizai Doyukai but is stepping back from duties for the time being.