Archive · 3 Sep 2025
Suntory CEO Niinami Resigns Amidst CBD Supplement Probe
Imagine a big company boss, Takeshi Niinami, who ran a famous Japanese drinks company.
He was known for being outspoken and a global thinker.
He took supplements containing CBD to help with jet lag.
The police began investigating the supplements, which led to his resignation, even though he said they were legal.
Suntory announced his resignation because of the investigation and to protect the company's image.
Niinami stated he believes the truth will come out.
He was the first person to lead Suntory from outside its founding family in 2014, a big shift in the way things are usually done in Japan.
This event highlights how much pressure Japanese leaders face.
Takeshi Niinami resigned as CEO of Suntory due to an investigation regarding CBD supplements.
Niinami said he used the supplements to cope with jet lag and that they were legal.
The supplements were set to be mailed to him from the U.S., but he didn't order them.
Niinami stated he resigned to protect the company, though he believes he did nothing wrong.
Niinami was an outspoken and cosmopolitan leader in corporate Japan.
- Who
- Takeshi Niinami, former CEO of Suntory.
- What
- Resigned from his position due to an investigation into potentially illegal supplements.
- When
- Announced resignation on Tuesday; investigation started in late August.
- Where
- Japan
- Why
- Niinami resigned to protect the Suntory brand, despite maintaining innocence.
- Who
- Takeshi Niinami, former Suntory CEO
- What
- Resignation due to investigation over potentially illegal CBD supplements.
- When
- Niinami resigned Tuesday; police investigation started in late August.
- Where
- Japan
- Why
- To protect the Suntory brand after a police investigation.
- Previous Role
- CEO of Suntory, the global drinks giant