Former Suntory Holdings chairman Takeshi Niinami has been referred to prosecutors without arrest, along with a female acquaintance, over allegations of importing illegal supplements. Investigative sources said the supplements from the United States contained prohibited levels of THC, a cannabis-derived substance. Niinami denies the allegations.
Investigative sources said that on Thursday, former Suntory Holdings Ltd chairman Takeshi Niinami and a female acquaintance had their case referred to prosecutors without arrest for allegedly importing illegal supplements. The supplements reportedly contained prohibited levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC. Niinami denies the allegation, and prosecutors are expected to carefully examine whether to pursue criminal charges.
Niinami resigned as Suntory chairman and as head of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, known as Keizai Doyukai, last September. At a press conference that month before his Keizai Doyukai resignation, he said, "I have not broken any laws and am innocent," adding, "I have not possessed or used (the supplements) in Japan, and I did not instruct their imports."
The woman sent the supplements from the United States to her brother in Fukuoka Prefecture, who was arrested by Fukuoka prefectural police on suspicion of violating the special narcotics law. He was quoted as saying, "I was asked to send them to Niinami." Last August, Fukuoka police searched Niinami's house in Tokyo based on information from customs authorities in southwestern Japan, but found no illegal drugs. Niinami also tested negative in a urine test.